Grilled Caesar Chicken

5.0
(10)
9 Reviews
3 Photos

The ingredients of a Caesar dressing make a flavorful marinade for grilled chicken thighs. Egg yolk and Parmesan cheese give this chicken a nice, golden color and a rich flavor.

By
John Mitzewich
Chef John
John Mitzewich
John Mitzewich — aka Chef John — has produced more than 1,500 cooking videos for Allrecipes. He's the actor, director, and screenwriter whose hands and voice confidently walk you through techniques.
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Updated on April 28, 2023
3
Grilled chicken served over lettuce with red peppers
3
3
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Marinate Time:
8 hrs
Total Time:
8 hrs 25 mins
Servings:
6
Jump to Nutrition Facts

The old trick of using bottled salad dressings as marinades for grilled meats has been around as long as there have been bottled dressings (and lazy cooks), and when you consider the amount of effort involved, or lack thereof, the results are usually pretty impressive. So, I decided to take that same basic idea, but instead of making an actual salad dressing, we’re making an extra-concentrated version, specifically designed for the job. 

How to Make Grilled Caesar Chicken

  • Hail, Caesar: I think Caesar dressing is a perfect choice for this operation, since garlic, lemon, and black pepper have a proven track record of being delicious with grilled chicken. Plus, I can’t think of a savory recipe that isn’t better with a healthy dose of anchovy, or as we like to call it around here, “Italian MSG.”
  • Avoid Overcooking: Of course, no matter how great the marinade is, if you overcook your chicken, no one will remember how tasty it was. 
  • Try Thighs: The easiest way to avoid this is by using thighs, which are way more user-friendly than breasts. Chicken breasts go from perfect to dry in just a few minutes, whereas the fattier, juicier thighs give us more room for error. 

Whether you go for thighs or breasts, if cooked correctly, you’ll be enjoying some extremely flavorful grilled chicken, which is why I really do hope you give this a try soon. Enjoy!

More recipes: Try the latest and greatest recipes from Chef John!

Ingredients

  • 6 anchovy filets

  • 6 garlic cloves, sliced

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

  • 1 egg yolk

  • 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for garnish

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for drizzling

  • 1 teaspoon sugar (omit if using Meyer lemons)

  • 2 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs

  • chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Directions

  1. Combine anchovies, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Use a potato masher, or back of a fork, to mash ingredients into a coarse paste.

  2. Add lemon juice, egg yolk, Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, oil,and sugar; whisk until marinade is thoroughly combined. Add chicken thighs one by one to the marinade, tossing to coat completely. Transfer to a resealable bag and marinate in the fridge for 8 to 18 hours, for best results.

  3. Preheat an outdoor charcoal grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.

  4. Grill until chicken is uniformely browned and the juices run clear, for 4 to 5 minutes per side, depending on heat and size of thighs. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read about 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

  5. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with parsley. Serve with extra Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, if desired.

    Grilled chicken served over lettuce with red peppers

    Chef John

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

400 Calories
22g Fat
3g Carbs
50g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 400
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 298mg 99%
Sodium 831mg 36%
Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 50g 99%
Vitamin C 5mg 5%
Calcium 63mg 5%
Iron 2mg 14%
Potassium 581mg 12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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