Not in love with Greek yogurt-based Caesar dressing recipes? Try this 21 Day Fix approved version, you won't be sorry!
Hi guys! If you read Friday's post, you'd know that to say that this has been a crazy week would be a bit of an understatement. Because of this, today's post is going to be short and sweet, hope you understand!
With tons and tons and tons of research to do and things to plan, there isn't a whole lot of time leftover for the blog. I'm sure as we start getting things set into place, it'll get back to normal around here (until it gets closer to moving day, of course)!
Anyway, recently I was really craving a caesar salad and since I've seen plenty of 21 Day Fix caesar dressings floating around, I figured it would be no big deal to make my own. Most of them are pretty similar and are usually Greek yogurt-based.
Since trying a couple of different variations of this, I'd come to the realization that those versions just didn't work for me. I'm not a huge fan of yogurt-based dressings to begin with, so maybe it's just me, but I was REALLY wanting it. And I didn't want it to taste good "for a healthy version," I wanted it to taste damn delicious, no matter who you are, ya know?
If you've been following me for a while, you probably already know that blending cottage cheese is one of my favorite healthy hacks and it really worked beautifully here. Adding just a little bit of olive oil gives it this amazing texture that reminds me of a slightly thinner homemade mayo.
So. Freaking. Good.
Also, I really hope you aren't afraid to use the anchovies. I know, they seem kind of scary, but they are what make caesar dressing, caesar dressing. When everything gets blended together, you don't even know they're there, but the depth of flavor they give is not to be missed. However, all of that being said, if I were afraid of the anchovies (or were allergic), I would still make this dressing, but increase the worcestershire to 1 tsp.
This pita pocket is my husband's new favorite lunch and definitely a go-to for both of us, it really is pretty fantastic. Plus, it's super convenient. The dressing makes a bunch of servings at once, so we can have that ready to go and we always have the rest of the ingredients on hand. I'm figuring a bunch of you guys are the same. Meal prepped chicken? Check. Parmesan Cheese? Check. Romaine? Check. Whole wheat pita pocket or even a whole wheat tortilla? Check.
As far as the temperature of the chicken goes, it really doesn't matter much. I've had it with warm chicken and I've had it with cold and both ways were equally delicious. Hope you try this one out!!
Enjoy!
If you make this recipe be sure to snap a pic and tag me @thefoodieandthefix on Instagram so I can check it out! It makes me ridiculously happy to see what you guys are making 🙂
📖 Recipe
Best Ever Healthy Caesar Dressing + Caesar Salad Pita Pocket
Ingredients
Best-Ever Healthy Caesar Dressing
- ¼ cup cottage cheese (1% or 2%)
- 1 Tbs plain Greek yogurt (1% or non-fat)
- ¼ teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 ½ Tbs lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2-3 anchovy filets (3 if they're small), use a paper towel to try to pat most of the oil off
- 2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
- some cracked black pepper if you like (I put about two cranks from my peppermill in)
Caesar Salad Pita Pocket
- â…“ cup cooked and chopped chicken breast
- ½ cup (packed) of cleaned and chopped romaine
- 2 ½ Tbs shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbs Best-Ever Healthy Caesar Dressing
- additional black pepper (optional)
- ½ of a whole wheat pita pocket
Instructions
To make the Caesar Dressing:
- Put all ingredients into a blender and buzz away for a couple of minutes or until it's super-smooth. If it's a little too thick, you can thin it out with a little plain, unsweetened almond milk or even water.
To make the pita pocket:
- In a bowl, mix together the chicken, romaine, parmesan, caesar dressing and black pepper if you're using. Stuff it into a pita and enjoy!
Notes
21 Day Fix Container Counts per Serving: Dressing: counts as an Orange (or you could count it as 2 teaspoon instead); Pita Pocket: ½ Yellow, ½ Red, ½ Green, ½ Blue, 1 Orange
Weight Watchers Freestyle Points:
- Dressing alone: 2 points
- Pita Pocket: 6 points
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Stevie says
Do you have a brand of anchovies that you recommend? Also do anchovies last long after opening? I'm picturing myself only using them for this recipe and I'm worried they might go to waste.
Stephanie says
Hey Stevie! Honestly, I usually just buy my store's brand of anchovies, so I'm not a ton of help there. They do keep really well in the fridge! At least 2 months in a tightly sealed container 🙂
Liz says
This dressing is TO DIE FOR! I didn't have any Greek yogurt, so I added a little more cottage cheese. I also left out the anchovies, but the flavor is spot on!!! Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie says
Thanks, Liz! It's my absolute favorite, I'm so glad you loved it!
Amanda says
Thank you! Finally a dressing that tastes good!!!! Quick question. How big are your pitas... I'm trying to figure out if I can eat a whole one or a 1/2 for a whole yellow.
Mine from the store are 6 inches wide. Is that considered a small one (150 calories for the whole thing).
Stephanie says
Thanks, Amanda! I'm so glad you liked it, it's one of my all-time favorite dressings! The pita in the picture is also 6 inches, 1 whole one is about 1 1/2 yellows. The size called for in the 21DF book is 4 inches and my store never has them in that size.
Linda says
Hi Stephanie,
Linda from Indy again. I'm the one who ate my way through 4 pieces of cornbread in one day. I have to hand it to you. The Cesear salad dressing is an absolute winner. I cook with a friend and we did the lettuce, cheese and chicken in baby Mason jars for freshness. For lunch I dumped the jar ingredients into a bowl and added the salad dressing and packed it in the pita. It was delicious and filling. My boss ( a major foodie) tried it and asked me for the recipe. I couldn't get Kellie to try the anchovies though (LOL) and since she was adding the ingredients to the blender I couldn't sneak them in. Maybe next time. You should seriously consider writing a cookbook.
I hope you enjoy Alaska. What a great time you are going to have!
Linda
Stephanie says
Thank you so much, Linda from Indy! I couldn't forget a kindred spirit like yourself (ya know, another person who could put away 4 pieces of cornbread in one day - like me)! I've actually been thinking about writing a cookbook... maybe I'll have time to start working on that big project after the move! Anyway, I'm glad you all liked it (plus I have another use for it coming this week, so stay tuned!). I know a lot of people get nervous about the anchovies, you'll get 'em next time, Linda 🙂
Vicki says
Hi Stephanie!
I'm on my second round of 21 day fix and came across your blog! I LOVE food and sometimes struggle with figuring out how to be happy with my meals and still make sure they're 21 day fix approved. Pretty much, your recipes are bliss for me.
Anyways, to my point. I've never used anchovies. Do you literally just throw the whole thing in the blender with the rest of the ingredients for the dressing? Also, any idea how long the dressing lasts (i.e. could I make a large batch)?
Stephanie says
Hi Vicki! So glad you're liking the blog! I'd never used anchovies before working on this recipe either, but I was so glad I did 🙂 Yes, you literally put them (they're like tiny filets, not whole fish or anything) and everything else in the blender and blend until smooth. That's it! I've never kept it longer than 4 or 5 days, so beyond that I really couldn't say. I've always made the amount in this recipe and usually both my husband and I are eating it throughout the week. Sorry, wish I could be more help on that front!
Vera says
Hi! Quick question about the container equivalents per serving. When you say the dressing itself counts as an orange, and the pita pocket the half yellow, half red, half green, half blue, and 1 orange, is that the pita pocket with the dressing, or without? That is, is that orange in the pita pocket from the dressing or from the other ingredients without the dressing? Thanks for your help - gorgeous recipe!
Stephanie says
Sorry for the confusion, Vera! The pita pocket container equivalents include the dressing, so the orange in the pita pocket is for the dressing. I just showed the equivalents of each in case someone was making the dressing for a salad. Hope that makes sense!
Rahul @ samosastreet says
this looks so fresh and delish, will be making soon, your pics are just so refreshing
Stephanie says
Thanks, Rahul!
Katie @The Semisweet Sisters says
I've always wanted to try making homemade salad dressing, your recipe for caesar dressing looks amazing!
Stephanie says
Thanks, Katie, I hope you try it! There really is nothing easier than throwing all of the ingredients into a blender!
Summer says
Lovely! This dressing looks so creamy and tempting ♥
summerdaisy.net
Stephanie says
Thanks, Summer!!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I love using greek yogurt for a healthy swap in dressings, but I've never tried doing that with Caesar! Can't wait to try this, because it looks super creamy and delicious! Love those salad packed pita pockets too! Good luck with all the planning!! Cheers, friend!
Stephanie says
Thanks, Cheyanne! So much to do! Thankfully we have a few months to get things situated 🙂
demeter | beaming baker says
I love caesar dressing like it's my job! 😉 Your recipe for a healthy caesar dressing would make my love much less guilt-ridden. Great idea!
Stephanie says
Thanks, Demeter!
Meghan | Fox and Briar says
Oh yum, these pita pockets look like such a great lunch!
Stephanie says
Thanks, Meghan!