Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of a classic Caesar salad and a comforting pasta dish with this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal, this salad is packed with flavors and textures that will surely please your taste buds.
Ingredients
Cooked Pasta:
8 to 12 ounces of pasta, such as penne, fusilli, or rotini
Cooked Chicken:
about 1 pound, diced or shredded
Chopped Romaine Lettuce:
about 3 cups
Caesar Dressing:
about 2/3 to 1 1/2 cups, homemade or store-bought
Parmesan Cheese:
shaved or grated, about 1/3 to 1/2 cup
Optional Add-ins:
such as crispy bacon, croutons, cherry tomatoes, lemon juice, salt, and pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente; drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the pasta, chicken, and lettuce. Add Caesar dressing and gently toss to coat evenly.
- Add Cheese and Mix-Ins: Stir in Parmesan cheese and any optional mix-ins. Season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice to taste.
- Serve: Serve immediately, or chill briefly—adding lettuce and croutons right before serving to maintain crunch.
Notes
- Leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken works well.
- To keep textures fresh, store lettuce and croutons separately until just before serving.
- Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad / Pasta Salad
- Method: Cooking / Tossing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 281
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 376 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
