Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad makes lunch simple with tender chicken, creamy Caesar dressing, pasta, crunchy lettuce, Parmesan, and crispy croutons.
Equipment
- Large pot for cooking pasta
- Colander
- Large mixing bowl
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Large spoon or salad tongs
- Skillet or grill pan, if cooking chicken from scratch
- Small bowl for mixing dressing, if needed
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
- 12 ounces of rotini pasta penne, bow tie pasta, or another short pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken chopped or shredded
- 5 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup Caesar dressing
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup croutons
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Optional Ingredients
- 4 slices of cooked bacon chopped
- Extra Parmesan for serving
- Fresh parsley chopped
- Lemon wedges
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder for extra flavor
- A pinch of red pepper flakes for gentle heat
- You can keep the recipe simple or add a few extras depending on what you have in your refrigerator.
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Remember, you want the pasta to remain slightly firm.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water.
- Let it drain completely and cool for a few minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
- If your chicken is already cooked, chop or shred it into bite-sized pieces.
- If cooking fresh chicken, season it simply with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until the center is fully cooked and the outside is nicely golden.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before cutting it. Resting helps the juices stay inside the meat, giving you more tender chicken.
Step 3: Chop the Vegetables
- Wash and dry the romaine lettuce well.
- Chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and thinly slice the red onion.
- Dry lettuce is important because excess water can dilute the Caesar dressing.
Step 4: Combine the Main Ingredients
- Add the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Pour in most of the Caesar dressing and toss gently until everything is coated.
Step 5: Add Fresh Ingredients
- Just before serving, add the chopped romaine lettuce.
- Drizzle with the remaining dressing if needed.
- Add the lemon juice and black pepper, then toss gently again.
Step 6: Finish With Croutons
- Add the croutons right before serving.
- Top with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.