The ultimate keto lunch. Crispy bacon, juicy grilled chicken, crisp cos lettuce and shaved Parmesan with a creamy homemade Caesar dressing — all the indulgence, none of the croutons.
Prep Time:
15
Cook Time:
15
Serves:
2
Level:
Ingredients
2 medium chicken breasts
1 tsp olive oil
Salt, black pepper and smoked paprika to season
4 rashers streaky bacon
1 head cos (romaine) lettuce, leaves roughly torn
50 g Parmesan cheese, shaved
2 soft-boiled eggs, halved (optional but recommended)
Caesar Dressing: 4 tbsp full-fat mayonnaise, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 garlic clove minced, 2 tbsp Parmesan grated, 1-2 anchovy fillets finely chopped (optional), salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
1. Season chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Grill or pan-fry over medium-high heat for 6–7 minutes per side until cooked through (internal temp 74°C / 165°F). Rest for 5 minutes, then slice diagonally.
2. Cook bacon in a dry pan until crispy. Drain on paper towel and roughly chop or break into pieces.
3. Make the dressing: whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, grated Parmesan, and anchovies if using. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust — it should be rich, tangy, and garlicky.
4. Place the torn cos lettuce in a large bowl. Drizzle over most of the dressing and toss gently to coat all the leaves.
5. Divide between two plates or bowls. Top with the sliced chicken and crispy bacon pieces.
6. Scatter over the shaved Parmesan and add the soft-boiled egg halves if using.
7. Drizzle over any remaining dressing and serve immediately.
Tips
A Caesar salad is already one of the most naturally keto-friendly dishes around — just skip the croutons and you're almost there. This version layers juicy seasoned chicken breast, crispy bacon, and shaved Parmesan over crisp cos lettuce with a rich, garlicky homemade dressing that takes under 2 minutes to whisk together and tastes infinitely better than anything from a bottle. For extra richness, add a halved soft-boiled egg on top — it turns this into a truly satisfying meal. Short on time? Use rotisserie chicken from the Woolworths or Pick n Pay deli counter for a super-quick assembly. Store components separately in the fridge for up to 2 days and assemble fresh when ready to eat.
Nutritional Values
| Nutrient | Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 590 kcal |
| Total Fat | 43 g |
| Net Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Protein | 46 g |