Vegan Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

Elevate your salad game with this crave-worthy Vegan Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, a plant-based twist on the classic dish that’s just as satisfying! Made with marinated and perfectly grilled extra-firm tofu as the "chicken," this recipe packs smoky, savory goodness into every bite. Tossed with crisp romaine lettuce, golden-crispy chickpeas, and a creamy, garlicky vegan Caesar dressing blended with tangy capers and nutritional yeast, this salad offers a bold combination of textures and flavors that’s entirely dairy- and meat-free. With a quick prep time of 30 minutes and simple grilling techniques, this hearty vegan Caesar salad is perfect for weekday lunches, dinner parties, or meal prep, all while staying full of flavor and nourishing ingredients.

Nutriscore Rating: 83/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 14 oz Extra-firm tofu
• 2 tbsp Soy sauce
• 3 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tbsp Maple syrup
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 2 hearts Romaine lettuce
• 15 oz Chickpeas, canned
• 3 tbsp Nutritional yeast
• 1 cup Vegan mayonnaise
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp Capers
• 0.5 tsp Sea salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Water

Directions

Step 1

Drain and press the tofu for at least 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.

Step 2

Once pressed, slice the tofu into 1/2 inch thick pieces.

Step 3

In a bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp garlic powder to create the marinade.

Step 4

Place tofu slices in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring they are well coated. Let them marinate for at least 15 minutes.

Step 5

While the tofu is marinating, prepare the dressing: In a small blender or food processor, combine 1 cup vegan mayonnaise, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 2 tsp lemon juice, 2 tsp capers, 3 tbsp nutritional yeast, 0.5 tsp sea salt, 0.5 tsp black pepper, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 2 tbsp water. Blend until smooth.

Step 6

Rinse and drain the chickpeas. Pat them dry with a towel.

Step 7

In a pan over medium heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil. Toast the chickpeas until they are slightly golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 8

Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 tbsp olive oil.

Step 9

Grill the marinated tofu slices for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until grill marks appear and the tofu is heated through.

Step 10

Chop the romaine lettuce hearts and divide among four plates.

Step 11

Top the romaine with grilled tofu slices, crispy chickpeas, and drizzle generously with the prepared vegan Caesar dressing.

Step 12

Serve immediately, garnished with additional nutritional yeast or black pepper if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2439.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2529.6

Total Fat 131.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 20.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 28.9g
Cholesterol 54mg	0%
Sodium 6068.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 231.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 61.3g	0%
Total Sugars 60.1g
Protein 129.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 3386.9mg	0%
Iron 35.8mg	0%
Potassium 4838.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.1%

Protein: 19.7%

Carbs: 35.1%