I was craving a Caesar salad today. But I wanted it to have some spice and sass. If you didn’t already know. I love buffalo sauce on everything! This Vegetarian Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad will be the last Caesar Salad you will ever want again. No more dry basic chicken for you. You will no longer feel the need to order this at lunch. From now on you will know that it is something that you can make at home and execute to perfection, every, single, time.
What is a Caeser Salad?
A Caeser salad is a salad that consists of Romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese and a unique dressing made from egg, lemon juice, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and olive oil. It was created back in 1924 by a man named, Caeser Cardini who was an italian immigrant that owned restaurants in the US and Mexico. It is said to have been created during a fourth of July rush at his hotel in Tijuana. From there it became widely known as replicated throughout culinary history.
My Vegetarian Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad is my own version using crunchy chickpeas instead of croutons and my own slightly different version of vegan caesar dressing from https://thehiddenveggies.com/. It’s so good! I Iove that I was able to make this version of the salad mostly vegetarian and 100% gluten and dairy free. For the chicken I like using Quorn Meat Crumbles because they are one of the only meat alternatives that does not use gluten in them. Instead they use pea protein and egg. Topped with my favorite parmesan cheese alternative, Follow your heart. I am so happy at how far we have come! I remember when all we had for vegetarian and vegan options was Boca Burgers, Soy Milk, Tofutti Cuties and Nutritional Yeast.
Prepare your Salads!
Cut and wash your romaine lettuce and set it aside.
I like using the quorn crumbles becasue they are gluten free and plant based. Feel free to use which protein you like the best. As long as your smothereing it with Buffalo Sauce it really doesn’t matter.
When your cooking your chicken crumbles you can use an airfryer or the oven. 400 degrees for 15 minutes. I enjoy the airfyer because I don’t need to wait to preheat the oven.
The dressing recipe was an awesome find I found made by Monica @hiddenveggies. Super easy to make. I found it holds up in the fridge for up to 2 weeks after you make it.
Finally you get to plate everything together! I’ve been using saffron road crispy chickpeas in sub for croutons but feel free to use your favorite crouton or make your own chickpeas if you desire. Make this salad your own!
Vegetarian Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
Buffalo Chicken
- 1 Bag Quorn Meatless Pieces
- 1/4 Cup Buffalo Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Earth Balance Butter
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Salt and Pepper
Salad
Vegan Caesar Dressing
- 1/2 Cup Olive Oil
- 1/4 Cup Almond Milk or whatever plant based milk you like.
- 2 Tsp Lemon Juice
- 2 Tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Tsp Dijon Mustard
- 2 Tsp Vegan Worcestershire Sauce I use wizards organic.
- 1 Tsp Caper Brine
- 2 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast
- 1/4 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Salt and Pepper
- 4 Tbsp Water
Instructions
- Start by putting 2 tbsp butter in a bowl and microwaving it for 30 seconds or until melted.
- Next add in buffalo sauce and seasonings. Mix well.
- Add in your bag of Quorn Crumbles. Mix until crumbles are coated.
- Add to your Air fryer for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Next you want to make your dressing. I like making mine in a mason jar so I can store the leftover dressing for later use.
- First add the milk and wet ingredients, then add your dry. Whisk well and then slowly incorporate in the oil and the water at the end. Whisk and Set aside.
- Last wash and chop your lettuce.
- To plate you want to start with your lettuce, next add your buffalo chicken, then your chickpeas and parmesan and last dress your salad. Serve immediately.