Keto Caesar Salad
A crisp, restaurant-worthy Caesar with creamy garlic-anchovy dressing, golden Parmesan crisps, and pan-seared chicken—skipping the croutons entirely. Just 3.8g net carbs per serving and ready in 25 minutes, it's a satisfying low-carb lunch that delivers all the bold, savory crunch you crave.
Head of Nutrition · June 17, 2026

Nutrition per serving
Per serving · makes 4. Values are estimates; brands vary.
This keto Caesar swaps carb-heavy croutons for crunchy baked Parmesan crisps while keeping the bold, garlicky, anchovy-rich dressing you love. Topped with juicy seared chicken, it's a hearty low-carb lunch that eats like a full meal.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450g)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large romaine hearts, chopped (about 8 cups)
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 anchovy fillets, minced (or 1 tsp anchovy paste)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely grated
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F / 74°C internal). Rest 5 minutes, then slice.
- 2
Make the Parmesan crisps: spoon 1/2 cup of the grated Parmesan into 8 small mounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 5-6 minutes until lacy and golden. Cool to crisp up.
- 3
Whisk the dressing: combine mayonnaise, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon, minced anchovies, grated garlic, black pepper, and salt until smooth and creamy.
- 4
Place chopped romaine in a large bowl. Pour over the dressing and toss until every leaf is coated.
- 5
Divide salad among 4 plates. Top with sliced chicken, the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan, and a few Parmesan crisps each. Serve immediately.
Tips & notes
- Parmesan crisps replace croutons for that essential crunch with zero carbs—make extra, they disappear fast.
- For meal prep, store the dressing separately and keep crisps in an airtight container; assemble just before eating to keep the romaine crisp. Components last 3 days refrigerated.
- No anchovies? A teaspoon of Worcestershire-style coconut aminos or anchovy paste gives the same savory umami depth.
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Frequently asked questions
- How many carbs are in keto caesar salad?
- This keto Caesar salad has 3.8g net carbs per serving, along with 478 calories, 38g protein, and 33g fat. The recipe makes 4 servings.
- What can I use instead of croutons on a keto Caesar salad?
- Baked Parmesan crisps are the perfect keto crouton swap—they add the same golden crunch with essentially no carbs. Crushed pork rinds or toasted pumpkin seeds also work well.
- Is Caesar dressing keto-friendly?
- Homemade Caesar dressing is naturally keto since it's built on mayonnaise, olive oil, Parmesan, and anchovies. Just avoid store-bought versions with added sugar or starchy thickeners and you're set.



