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Bowl of Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad with lettuce, chicken, and Caesar dressing

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A quick, creamy mashup of pasta, diced chicken, and crunchy croutons with classic Caesar flavors, perfect for weeknight dinners and packed lunches.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 12 oz dry rotini pasta or penne Rotini holds dressing well; penne gives a cleaner bite.
Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb cooked chicken breast, diced Rotisserie or poached chicken works great.
  • 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 3/4 cup Caesar dressing Store-bought or homemade.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 1/2 cups croutons
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tsp anchovy paste Optional, for classic depth.
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt Or to taste.
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped Optional, for brightness.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Fill a large pot with salted water and bring it to a rolling boil.
  2. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  3. Drain the pasta and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking. Shake off excess water and transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk the Caesar dressing with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder, anchovy paste (if using), salt, and pepper until smooth.
Assembly
  1. Pour half of the dressing over the warm (not hot) pasta. Toss to coat and let the pasta rest for 5 minutes to absorb flavor.
  2. Add the diced cooked chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley. Toss gently to combine.
  3. Fold the chopped romaine and croutons into the salad right before serving to keep the croutons crunchy.
  4. If the salad seems dry, add the remaining dressing a tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired creaminess.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 650mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g

Notes

Use whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta if needed. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of preparing. The salad will keep 3 to 4 days. Discard if the salad smells off or has a slimy texture.

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