Grilled Chipotle Chicken Caesar Salad

(recipe serving size: 4)

For the Chipotle Caesar Dressing:

4 anchovies 

2/3 cup mayonnaise

1 tb & 1 tsp dijon mustard

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp cracked black pepper

2 tb white distilled vinegar 

Juice of 1 lemon

2 chipotle chili in adobo

2 tb chopped cilantro, loosely packed

2 large clove of garlic, minced

Blend until smooth and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

For the chicken:

1 1/2 – 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts (6-8 pieces)

1 tb olive oil

1 tsp granulated garlic

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp chipotle chili powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp cracked black pepper

Cooking spray

Coat the chicken with the olive oil and dress liberally with spices. If you have the time, allow the chicken to marinade in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight.

Spray your grill with the cooking spray. Grill the chicken over an open flame for 6-8 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Allow the poultry to rest for 3-5 minutes. Slice into pieces roughly 1 inch in width and cover to keep warm.

(Note: If you’re using an indoor grill pan, adhere to the same cooking times. Heat the pan over medium to medium-high heat and tent the chicken with foil to aid in the cooking process.)

For the lettuce:

4 small heads of romaine lettuce  or 2 large

1 tb olive oil

Cooking spray

Rinse and pat the romaine with a paper towel, getting the lettuce as dry as you can. Spray the grill with the cooking spray. Brush the romaine lightly with the olive oil and grill the lettuce on each side for a few seconds, just until you get a slight char on the outer leaves. You don’t want the romaine to wilt, so keep an eye on it, making sure you don’t take the lettuce too far.

If you are working with larger romaine heads, slice the romaine down the center before brushing with the oil and grilling.

Bringing it all together:

Chipotle chili powder

Chopped cilantro

Place a grilled romaine heart on a plate. Top it with as much chicken as your heart desires. Dress it with the chipotle Caesar dressing. Sprinkle the dish with additional chipotle chili powder, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and prepare to be blown away!