Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad

This air fryer blackened chicken Caesar salad features spicy chicken, crunchy lettuce, crisp croutons, and creamy dressing. It’s simple to prepare and very tasty.

You might also enjoy my green goddess salad, mason jar chicken Caesar salad, cobb salad, and this rotisserie chicken salad sandwich.

Why You’ll Love It

Bold flavors: Spices, lemon and anchovy create a dressing and chicken that packs a punch.
Easy prep: The air fryer takes care of both the chicken and croutons with minimal effort.
Fresh and homemade: Everything from the dressing to the croutons is made from scratch.
Perfect for meal prep: Make the components ahead and assemble when you’re ready.
Restaurant quality at home: Impress without needing fancy tools or ingredients.

Chicken Caesar Air Fryer Salad Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Olive oil: Helps the spice rub adhere and adds moisture to the chicken.
Chicken breasts: Lean protein base for the salad.
Romaine hearts: Crunchy, fresh base for the Caesar.
Parmesan cheese: Adds savory richness to both salad and dressing.
Spices for blackened chicken: Smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, sea salt, and black pepper bring bold heat.
Garlic cloves: Add a pungent base to the Caesar dressing.
Lemon juice: Brings brightness and acidity to the dressing.
Dijon mustard: Adds tang and depth.
Worcestershire sauce: Delivers umami flavor.
Anchovies: The classic Caesar flavor enhancer.
Egg yolk: Helps emulsify the dressing.
Homemade croutons: White bread, olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt make a crunchy, flavorful topping.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Salad

For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.

Season the chicken: Rub with oil and coat in spice blend.
Make the croutons: Toss bread with oil and seasonings. Air fry until crisp.
Cook the chicken: Air fry until cooked through. Slice into strips.
Make the dressing: Blend all ingredients except oil. Add oil gradually until smooth.
Assemble the salad: Toss romaine with dressing, cheese and air fryer homemade croutons. Top with the warm chicken and serve right away.

Substitutions and Variations

Use a different protein: Try salmon, tofu or grilled shrimp in place of chicken.
Make it vegetarian: Omit the anchovies and use plant-based parmesan.
Swap the greens: Try kale or a spring mix instead of romaine.
Mild version: Use less cayenne or a milder paprika to tone down the heat.
Short on time: Use store-bought croutons and Caesar dressing in a pinch.
Olive oil: You can use any cooking oil you want, such as grapeseed oil or canola oil. For the dressing though, I do recommend using extra virgin olive oil.

Serving Suggestions

With soup: Baked feta soup, minestrone soup or turkey vegetable soup would be so good with this, to make it a hearty lunch or light evening meal.
With a drink: Enjoy a Canadian Caesar cocktail with your chicken Caesar salad.
As an appetizer: Serve a small portion of this salad before a main course of Italian beef stew or Instant Pot pork chops.

How to Store Chicken Caesar Salad

Store: Once you’ve added the dressing, the salad will slowly start to get soggy, so only add the dressing to however much you need. You can keep the remaining salad, dressing and croutons, in their own separate containers, in the fridge for a day.
Freeze: This recipe isn’t suitable for freezing.