It is possible some of you are going to say I took too many liberties with this Chipotle Caesar Salad, and maybe that is true. If you are looking for a very traditional version of a caesar salad-well, you may have to keep looking. This salad isn’t your mother’s caesar salad after all. This salad features a lighter Caesar dressing, a hint of spicy chipotle and best of all bacon. And if this doesn’t intrigue you, well maybe we weren’t meant to be friends after all…
You know some days when all that sounds good is that salty, tangy, Caesar dressing? The one studded with freshly grated parmesan cheese? And then you remember that you are trying to be good. You are trying to watch what you eat. Do not fear. Ali at Gimme Some Oven has your back. She has developed a Caesar dressing made with non-fat greek yogurt that I like EVEN BETTER than the original Caesar dressing. And after adding some smoky, spicy chipotle peppers…I think it has been perfected!
And although, I love romaine lettuce and the simplicity of the traditional caesar salad, I also love bacon. And bacon makes everything better. Especially this caesar salad! I also added some sweet cherry tomatoes for color. And as I love spinach so much more than romaine, I made the whole salad on a bed of spring greens. Sprinkle with some shaved parmesan and this Chipotle Caesar Salad is ready for serving!
Chipotle Caesar Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups salad greens
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 4 slices of bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shaved parmesan
- 2 cups croutons
- DRESSING:
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons anchovy paste
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1-2 chipotle peppers + 1 teaspoon adobo sauce
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons milk optional
Instructions
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Place garlic clove, chipotle peppers and adobo sauce in a food processor, pulse 2-3 times to mince.
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Add greek yogurt, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, anchovy paste, worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt and pepper to food processor.
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Blend until smooth.
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Taste dressing-adjust salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste.
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If dressing seems too thick, add a few tablespoons of milk until you get to your desired consistency.
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Place salad greens in 4 bowls.
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Top with tomatoes, bacon, and shaved Parmesan cheese.
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Dress with desired amount of chipotle caesar dressing.
Recipe Notes: Anchovy paste can be purchased in a tube, found in the canned tuna/salmon aisle at your local grocery store.
If you would like to make your own croutons-here is an easy recipe from our blog.
That looks so good! I’d much rather have your chipotle dressing than a standard caesar.
There is something about the chipotle that I am addicted to!
Oh my…that dressing sounds amazing! Chipotle and bacon are two of my favorites!
Looks like the perfect summer side salad. Beautiful.
Chipotle dressing is one of my favorites! Love the additional spice and depth it gives to a salad…since salads usually make me sad! 🙂
Hopefully this one will make you happy! If not, try the muffins!
The dressing looks delicious! I am all about adding a zing to salad dressings, so this is a perfect dressing for a caesar salad twist. Can’t wait to try it!
This looks delicious! I love the combination of caeser and chipotle!
Brittany
gracelovelife.com
This is going to be my lunch one day soon! Looks fantastic!
Yum! This sounds delicious! I will have to try it out for lunch.
Yay! Hope you love it, it’s the perfect lunch!
I didn’t know there was a way to improve upon a Caesar salad but you’ve done it! Love the smoky chipotle-spiked dressing and adding bacon was genius!
thanks Liz! XOXO
Not to sound weird, but that dressing looks like something I could drink… YUM!!!! Thanks for a great idea. I love anything chipotle- I’ll try this out!
Not weird at all (Says the girl who eats chimichurri with a spoon!) Condiment lovers unite!
This looks amazing! I need this in my belly now!
xo, Amanda | http://www.thegoldengirldiary.com
It’s great! Enjoy!
This looks so yummy! I used to eat caesar salads alll of the time! They’re so simple yet yummy. I love the added bacon. An interesting twist 🙂
Hope you enjoy!
This looks delicious! I absolutely love adding a spicy twist to a classic ceasar salad!
La Belle Sirene
I am addicted to spicy! Hope you try it!
This salad looks amazing! I don’t eat that much salad, and when I do I’m super picky, but this looks amazing!
Oh my gosh, YUM! My chipotle addiction started at Subway – I always put it on my sandwiches there! I will definitely have to try this.
Clearly (from the million chipotle recipes on our blog) we can’t get enough chipotle either!
Caesar Salad is my favorite so adding a bit of spice (which I LOVE) makes it even better!
I can’t get enough spice!
I like that you use a healthier Caesar dressing. Looks yummy.
It turns out that Greek Yogurt worked perfectly instead of all of the traditional egg yolks! Ali at Gimme Some Oven is a genius!
Oh my this looks fantastic! I love chipotle anything and am going to have to try this!
If you like chipotle, you’ll like it!
This looks so delicious! I don’t eat salad often but this got me craving one right now!
This looks like a really delicious combination of tastes
Tangy, smoky AND spicy for the win!