Chicken Caesar Salad Cups

Why You’ll Love Chicken Caesar Salad Cups Recipe

• They’re perfect as finger-food or appetizer — no plates or forks needed.

• The contrast of crunchy wonton cups + crisp lettuce + creamy Caesar dressing + tender chicken creates a satisfying mix of textures and flavors.

• You can make many parts ahead (dressing, baking the cups, prepping croutons), then assemble just before serving — quick, easy and stress-free.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Caesar Salad Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Wonton Cups:
12 wonton wrappers
1 tablespoon olive oil

Chicken Caesar Salad Cups:
2 ½ cups Romaine lettuce, cut into ½-inch pieces
1 cup cooked chicken, cut into small pieces
4 to 5 tablespoons Caesar salad dressing
1 cup mini croutons
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Make the Caesar Dressing — Combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, minced garlic, grated Parmesan, and lemon juice in a blender. Blend until smooth (about 10 seconds). Transfer to a container, cover, and refrigerate. This yields roughly 1 ¼ cups of dressing.

2. Bake the Wonton Cups — Preheat the oven to 350 °F. Lightly brush a regular muffin pan with olive oil. Press one wonton wrapper into each cup of the muffin pan, then brush the tops lightly with olive oil. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until golden brown. Remove and let cool to room temperature. This makes 12 cups.

3. Prepare the Salad Filling — In a bowl, combine Romaine lettuce and cooked chicken. Pour over 4–5 tablespoons of the Caesar dressing and toss to coat evenly.

4. Assemble the Salad Cups — Spoon the dressed lettuce‑chicken mixture into each cooled wonton cup. Sprinkle mini croutons and freshly grated Parmesan over the top. Garnish with minced parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

Servings and timing

Makes 12 salad cups.
Prep time: ~30 minutes
Cook time: ~10 minutes
Total time: ~40 minutes

Storage/Reheating

These salad cups are best enjoyed immediately after assembling. While you can prepare the dressing, bake the wonton cups, and even make the croutons ahead of time, it’s best not to mix the salad and fill the cups until just before serving — otherwise the wonton cups may become soggy and lose their crispiness. Leftovers of assembled cups aren’t recommended.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought Caesar dressing instead of making my own?

Yes — a quality store-bought Caesar dressing works well if you prefer a quicker option.

Can I omit the anchovy paste in the dressing?

Yes — if you don’t enjoy anchovy, you can leave it out. The dressing will still be flavorful, though slightly less “classic” Caesar.

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of grilled chicken?

Absolutely. Any cooked chicken you have on hand — rotisserie, leftover roast, or grilled — works fine. Just cut into small pieces.

Can I use store-bought croutons rather than homemade mini croutons?

You could, but store-bought croutons are often too large for the small cups and may overwhelm the bites. Smaller “mini” croutons or homemade small cubes are best.

Can I prepare everything ahead of time for a party?

Yes. You can make the dressing, bake the wonton cups, and prepare croutons in advance. Wait to toss the salad and assemble the cups until just before serving for the best texture.

Will these cups stay crunchy if made ahead of time?

The wonton cups stay crisp if stored airtight after baking — but once filled with salad and dressing, they’ll likely soften, so serve soon after assembling.

Can I use a mini‑muffin pan to make smaller cups?

Not really — a mini muffin pan makes cups too small to hold the salad mixture comfortably. A standard muffin pan is recommended.

What if the dressing is too thick?

If your dressing seems too thick, add one or two teaspoons of water to thin it slightly to your desired consistency.

Can I substitute lettuce (e.g. iceberg or mixed greens) for Romaine?

You could, but Romaine works best because its firmness holds up to the dressing and crispiness contrasts nicely with the crunchy cup. Softer greens may wilt or become soggy more quickly.

Are these cups suitable for a vegetarian version?

You could omit the chicken and use just Romaine, croutons, cheese and dressing — but for a true vegetarian version, you may want to skip anchovy paste in the dressing, or substitute with a vegetarian-friendly alternative.

Conclusion

Chicken Caesar Salad Cups are a fun, elegant and easy-to-serve appetizer that elevates a classic salad into bite-sized party-perfect portions. With crunchy wonton wrappers, creamy Caesar dressing, fresh Romaine, chicken and a sprinkle of Parmesan and croutons, these cups are an impressive addition to any gathering — and best of all, you can prepare most components ahead to save time. Try them next time you host friends or family for a simple but delicious starter.