Description
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a delightful twist on classic Caesar salad, combining juicy chicken, crisp romaine, and flavorful pasta tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings or quick meals.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, cubed or sliced
- 8 oz pasta (penne, bowtie, or fusilli), cooked al dente
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for dressing)
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
- Olive oil (to emulsify, amount as needed)
Toppings
- ½ cup garlicky breadcrumbs or crushed croutons
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
- Season and cook chicken breasts by grilling, baking, or pan-frying until fully cooked. Let cool slightly, then cube or slice.
- Wash, dry, and chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, minced garlic, grated Parmesan, and anchovy paste (if using) until smooth. Slowly whisk in olive oil to emulsify and achieve creamy texture.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chicken, romaine lettuce, and Parmesan cheese. Pour dressing over and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Just before serving, sprinkle garlicky breadcrumbs and fresh parsley on top.
- Serve cold, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and lemon wedges.
Notes
- Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version.
- Add grilled vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers for extra flavor and color.
- Swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt to lighten the dressing.
- Add hard-boiled eggs or avocado slices for extra protein and creaminess.
- Customize toppings to your preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
