Description
Creamy, tangy, and packed with protein, this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad blends classic Caesar ingredients with tender grilled chicken and perfectly cooked pasta. Ideal for lunch, dinner, or gatherings, it offers a fresh yet comforting meal that’s easy to prepare and customizable to your taste.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rotini or penne pasta, cooled
- 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced or cubed
- 1 cup croutons
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp anchovy paste (optional)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down for the salad.
2. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Grill or pan-sear until cooked through, then slice or cube into bite-sized pieces.
3. Wash and chop the romaine lettuce into medium-sized pieces that provide a satisfying crunch.
4. If using store-bought Caesar dressing, stir well to combine. For homemade dressing, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and freshly grated Parmesan until creamy.
5. In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta, chicken, romaine lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese with enough dressing to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
6. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Serve chilled, garnished with extra Parmesan, freshly cracked black pepper, and lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for a richer flavor and better melting into the dressing.
Add dressing gradually to avoid overdressing and sogginess.
Allow pasta to cool completely before combining to keep the lettuce crisp.
Toast homemade croutons with garlic and herbs for a flavorful crunch.
Marinate chicken briefly in dressing before cooking for extra flavor infusion.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg