Description

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish combining creamy Caesar dressing, tender chicken, crisp romaine lettuce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ideal for quick lunches, dinners, or potlucks, this salad offers a delicious balance of textures and tastes that’s easy to prepare and customizable to your preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

8 oz dry fusilli, penne, or rotini pasta

Protein

2 cooked chicken breasts (baked, grilled, or pan-seared), sliced into bite-sized pieces

Fresh Produce

2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Dressing & Toppings

1/2 cup creamy Caesar dressing
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup croutons
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add your chosen pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down, then set aside.
Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, season your chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper. You can bake, grill, or pan-sear them until cooked through and juicy. Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
Combine the Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta, sliced chicken, chopped romaine lettuce, croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese. Pour over the creamy Caesar dressing and gently mix until everything is coated evenly.
Add Fresh Lemon and Season: Sprinkle fresh lemon juice over the salad to brighten the flavors, then finish with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Give it one last gentle toss and your Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is ready to serve.

Notes

Use freshly made dressing: Homemade or high-quality store-bought Caesar dressing makes a noticeable difference in flavor.
Cool pasta completely: Prevent mushy textures by rinsing cooked pasta with cold water before mixing.
Rest chicken before slicing: Helps retain juices and keeps the meat tender.
Add croutons last: To keep them crunchy, add croutons just before serving rather than mixing too early.
Adjust dressing to taste: Start with less dressing and add more gradually for perfectly balanced creaminess.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1.5 cups)
Calories: 450 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg

Keywords: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, Caesar Salad, Pasta Salad, Chicken Salad, Easy Lunch, Potluck Recipe, Meal Prep