Dinner
This is a nourishing, protein rich meal made with whole food ingredients that's quick enough for busy weeknights but satisfying enough to be a complete dinner. This is ideal for clean eaters looking for a fast, nutrient dense meal that supports gut health, energy, and balanced blood sugar- all without ultra-processed ingredients.
Hearty Winter Ceasar Salad with Chicken

Hearty Winter Ceasar Salad with Chicken
This is a nourishing, protein rich meal made with whole food ingredients that's quick enough for busy weeknights but satisfying enough to be a complete dinner. This is ideal for clean eaters looking for a fast, nutrient dense meal that supports gut health, energy, and balanced blood sugar- all without ultra-processed ingredients.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breasts
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
For the Ceasar Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 small garlic clove, grated
- 3-4 anchovy fillets, finely chopped (or 1 tsp anchovy paste)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional if dairy-free)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 5 oz mixed greens (like spinach, kale, arugula, or romaine)
- 1/2 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas), toasted
- 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan (optional)
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine garlic, mustard, smoked paprika, thyme, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Spread this mixture over your chicken breasts on a sheet pan.
- On the same sheet pan, lay out your cubed butternut squash. Drizzle with oil and season with salt, pepper and thyme.
- Bake chicken and squash at 400° for 30 minutes.
- While this is baking, make the Caesar Dressing. Use the back of a spoon or fork to mash the anchovies into a paste. In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the anchovy paste, grated garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and Parmesan. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the dressing. Add salt and pepper as needed.
- Assemble the salad by layering greens, apple, squash, pumpkin seeds and Parmesan. Slice chicken and place on top of the salad. Finish by drizzling the Cesar dressing.