Mediterranean Caesar Chicken with Roasted Asparagus & Lemon-Parmesan Essence

🍗 Mediterranean Caesar Chicken with Roasted Asparagus & Lemon-Parmesan Essence

Description

This Mediterranean Caesar Chicken is a fresh, wholesome twist on the classic Caesar flavor profile. Juicy chicken breasts are coated in a creamy, yogurt-based Caesar sauce infused with garlic, lemon, and Parmesan, then oven-roasted alongside tender asparagus. Finished with a bright lemon-Parmesan essence and a drizzle of olive oil, this dish is protein-rich, low-carb, and perfect for weeknight elegance or healthy entertaining.

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🛒 Ingredients

Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• Salt & freshly ground black pepper

Mediterranean Caesar Sauce

• ½ cup Greek yogurt

• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 clove garlic, finely grated

• ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)

• ½ tsp anchovy paste (optional, authentic Caesar flavor)

Roasted Asparagus

• 1 lb (450 g) asparagus, trimmed

• 1½ tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• Salt & black pepper

Lemon-Parmesan Essence

• Zest of 1 lemon

• 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan

• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Preheat Oven
   Preheat to 400°F (200°C). Line a sheet pan or lightly oil a baking dish.

2. Prepare Caesar Sauce
   In a bowl, whisk Greek yogurt, Parmesan, Dijon, lemon juice, garlic, Worcestershire, and anchovy paste until smooth.

3. Season Chicken
   Pat chicken dry. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Brush lightly with olive oil.

4. Coat Chicken
   Spread Caesar sauce evenly over the chicken breasts.

5. Prepare Asparagus
   Toss asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange around the chicken.

6. Roast
   Roast uncovered for 22–28 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (165°F / 74°C) and asparagus is tender.

7. Finish with Essence
   In a small bowl, mix lemon zest, Parmesan, and olive oil. Spoon over chicken and asparagus while hot.

8. Rest & Serve
   Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

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🍽 Serving Suggestions

• Serve with crusty whole-grain bread or warm pita

• Add a simple arugula salad

• Pair with roasted baby potatoes if not low-carb

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❓ Q & A

Q: Is this dish low-carb?
A: Yes! It’s naturally low-carb and keto-friendly.

Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Use dairy-free yogurt and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.

Q: Can I grill the chicken instead?
A: Absolutely — grill chicken separately and roast asparagus in the oven.

Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Q: Can I use chicken thighs?
A: Yes — thighs will be juicier; adjust cooking time slightly.