Oven-Baked Blackened Chicken Caesar Tater Tot Salad

Ingredients

Main Components:
- 2 cups smashed tater tots
- 2 pieces blackened chicken breast, cooked and sliced
- 1 cup crumbled bacon bits
- 1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup Caesar dressing
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced

Optional Add-ins:
- 2 tbsp anchovy paste (optional)
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded Brussels sprouts (optional)

Seasonings and Garnish:
- 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prep the Ingredients (PT10M / 10 minutes):
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Cook the smashed tater tots according to package instructions until they are golden and crispy. Set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile, slice the blackened chicken breast and crumble the bacon bits.

2. Prepare the Salad Components (PT10M / 10 minutes):
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped Romaine lettuce, green onions, finely chopped celery, and any optional vegetables such as bell peppers, shredded carrots, or Brussels sprouts.
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the mixture and toss lightly to combine.

3. Assemble the Salad (PT5M / 5 minutes):
- Incorporate the crispy tater tots, sliced blackened chicken, and crumbled bacon into the salad mix.
- Pour in the Caesar dressing and mix thoroughly to ensure all components are evenly coated. If using, mix in the optional anchovy paste for an extra flavor dimension.

4. Bake the Salad (PT10M / 10 minutes):
- Transfer the entire mixture to a large, oven-safe dish or baking sheet.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the salad to warm through.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.

5. Garnish and Serve (PT5M / 5 minutes):
- Once the salad has cooled slightly, season with freshly ground pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and green onions as desired.

Total Time

PT40M
40 minutes

Type of Dish

Lunch

Keywords

Chicken Caesar, salad, tater tots, blackened chicken, oven-baked salad, gourmet lunch, crispy bacon, anchovy Caesar, Parmesan, easy lunch

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total Calories: 2,600

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