Low Carb Lunch: Chicken Caesar Lettuce Cups Recipe

Caesar salad in lettuce cups instead of a bowl. Same garlicky Parmesan flavor, but now it's handheld — low carb lunch that's fun to eat.

Cook 20 min Difficulty EASY 260 kcal
#low carb #diabetic friendly #high protein #bariatric friendly
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • cooked chicken breast, diced 2 cups
  • romaine lettuce leaves (large, whole) 8 pieces
  • freshly grated Parmesan cheese 0.5 cup
  • cherry tomatoes, halved 0.5 cup
Seasonings/Sauce
  • Caesar dressing 0.33 cup
  • lemon juice 1 tbsp
  • freshly ground black pepper 0.5 tsp
  • garlic powder 0.5 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 6 g 9%
Protein 28 g 43%
Fat 13 g 48%
Serving size 170g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Gently wash and dry the romaine lettuce leaves to maintain their crispness for use as cups.

  2. 2

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cooked chicken breast with Caesar dressing, lemon juice, garlic powder, and half of the Parmesan cheese.

  3. 3

    Toss the chicken mixture until evenly coated, then fold in the cherry tomato halves.

  4. 4

    Arrange the lettuce leaves on a serving platter and carefully spoon the chicken mixture into each leaf to fill, ensuring not to overfill to prevent breaking.

  5. 5

    Top each lettuce cup with the remaining Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper before serving immediately for maximum crunch.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?
The key ingredient is cooked chicken breast, which brings lean protein and a satisfying texture. Together with the Caesar dressing and Parmesan, it defines the flavor and makes these lettuce cups distinctively hearty and flavorful.
Q. How do you keep the lettuce cups crisp and prevent sogginess?
Ensure the romaine leaves are completely dry before assembling, and fill them just before serving. Overfilling or letting them sit too long after filling can lead to sogginess or tearing—so assemble right before eating for best texture.
Q. What is the nutritional breakdown per serving?
Each serving (170g) contains about 260 kcal, with 6g of carbohydrates (9% of calories), 28g protein (43%), and 13g fat (48%). This nutritional profile makes it suitable for low carb and high protein diets.
Q. What techniques add depth of flavor to this quick lunch recipe?
Using freshly grated Parmesan and adding lemon juice to the Caesar dressing lifts the flavors. Tossing diced chicken in the dressing before assembling ensures every bite is seasoned well, while black pepper adds a final aromatic kick.
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