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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

The Crispy Chef
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and satisfying. With juicy chicken, crisp romaine, al dente pasta, and a homemade Caesar dressing, it's a crowd-pleasing recipe ideal for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or potlucks. Ready in just 30 minutes!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 510 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Skillet
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

For the Salad:

  • 12 oz rotini pasta or penne/farfalle
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1 lb
  • 2 romaine hearts chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese plus more for topping
  • 1 cup croutons

For the Caesar Dressing:

  • 2/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp anchovy paste optional
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 –3 tbsp olive oil to thin if needed

Instructions
 

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

  • Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente (8-10 min).
  • Drain (don’t rinse), toss with olive oil and let cool.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

  • Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder.
  • Cook in skillet with oil for 5–6 min per side or until 165°F.
  • Rest 5 min, then chop into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Make the Dressing

  • Whisk mayo, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, Worcestershire, and anchovy paste.
  • Add parmesan, salt, pepper, and olive oil to thin.

Step 4: Assemble

  • In a large bowl, combine pasta, romaine, chicken, tomatoes, onion.
  • Add 3/4 of the dressing and toss.
  • Mix in most of the cheese and croutons.
  • Add more dressing if needed.
  • Top with remaining cheese and croutons.

Notes

Use rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken for speed.
Make dressing up to 3 days ahead.
For meal prep, keep croutons separate until serving.
Great with bacon, olives, or seasonal veggies for variation.
To make vegetarian, swap chicken with chickpeas and omit anchovy paste.

Nutrition

Calories: 510kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 28gFat: 28g
Keyword chicken caesar pasta salad
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