This creamy chicken Caesar pasta salad is packed with all the right flavors! Tender pasta, juicy chicken, and crispy romaine tossed in a tangy homemade Caesar salad dressing.
CHICKEN CAESAR PASTA SALAD
Looking for a new salad recipe? Try this chicken Caesar pasta salad! The combination of flavors from the tender pasta, juicy chicken, crispy romaine and tangy dressing goes together so well. This pasta salad recipe is the perfect potluck or BBQ side dish that everyone will enjoy. It is also a great salad to enjoy as a side for dinner or for a heartier lunch.
WHAT YOU NEED-
- Pasta– Any short pasta can be used for this salad. You can use elbow, rotini, penne, bow tie or shells will work. You want to be sure you use cooled cooked pasta for the salad.
- Chicken– You can use your go-to chicken breast for this salad, either air fried, pan seared, shredded or baked chicken can be used. I love to use my blackened chicken, chipotle chicken, grilled chicken, or even crispy chicken cutlets for this salad.
- Romaine– For the best results, you want to use romaine. Fresh and crispy chopped romaine is the best, but if you only have iceberg lettuce on hand that will work.
- Croutons– Adding croutons to this Caesar pasta salad is totally optional! You can use your favorite store-bought croutons or even make homemade croutons.
- Parmesan Cheese– Freshly shaved or shredded parmesan cheese is recommended for the best flavors! Pre grated parmesan will also work.
- Caesar Dressing– I highly recommend that you use my homemade Caesar salad dressing for this pasta salad recipe. You can also use your favorite store-bought Caesar salad dressing as well.
HOW TO MAKE CAESAR PASTA SALAD
- Prepare the homemade Caesar salad dressing and set aside.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water and set side to cool.
- Prepare the rest of the ingredients for the salad.
- Add the cooled cooked pasta, chopped romaine, cubed cooked chicken, croutons, parmesan cheese and homemade salad dressing to a large salad bowl.
- With tongs or a mixing spoon, toss the salad until everything is mixed and well combined with the Caesar dressing.
- Season to taste and top with extra parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
SALAD VARIATIONS
You can totally load up this salad for a heartier, more flavorful salad! Here are some other ingredients that go great with this this salad:
- Bacon Bits
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Red Onions
- Banana Peppers
- Steak Bites
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
You can prepare ahead of time, but you want to mix the salad together right before serving for fresh crunchy flavors! Make pasta, chicken and salad dressing up to 1-2 days ahead of time!
No, you want to use cooled pasta and cooled chicken to avoid warm salad! I like to make pasta and chicken the night before and keep in the fridge, this gives you a cold and crispy salad when mixed!
Yes! Make just a chicken Caesar salad recipe and leave out the pasta and add more chopped romaine!
The romaine can get a little soggy, so it is not ideal to have leftovers.
Even though you run the risk of having soft romaine, you can still store and enjoy leftover Caesar salad! Store in the fridge for 1-2 days.
OTHER SALAD RECIPES
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 6 oz rotini pasta cooked and cooled
- 5 cups chopped romaine about 2 romaine hearts
- 1 1/2 cups chicken breast cooked & cubed
- 1 cup croutons
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- ground black pepper to taste
Caesar Salad Dressing-
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 Tbsp lemon Juice
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 3 Tbsp parmesan cheese
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
- Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and to cool the pasta. Set aside, allowing the pasta to cool. (Cook the pasta up to a day earlier to have fully cool, cold pasta.)
- Prepare the homemade Caesar salad dressing, set aside.
- Rinse the romaine and chop the romaine.
- In a large salad bowl, add the cooled cooked pasta, chopped romaine, cubed chicken, croutons, parmesan cheese and Caesar salad dressing.
- Using tongs or a large spoon, toss the salad until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with freshly grated parmesan and black pepper. Serve immediately.
Leave a Reply