Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

About This Recipe

This recipe combines caesar salad with pasta for the ultimate pasta salad!

If you like caesar salad or pasta salad, you'll love this recipe.

The addition of pasta in this recipe makes it all the more satisfying and crave-worthy. Plus it's loaded with crunchy croutons, chopped chicken, shredded parmesan, and creamy caesar dressing.

Ready in less that 30 minutes, this salad is a go-to for a quick dinner or if you need a simple but delicious main course or side dish for a barbecue or potluck.

This recipe is also great for meal prep because it makes a large batch! Just wait to mix your dressing until you plan to eat it so that it doesn't get soggy.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this chicken caesar pasta salad recipe. The full recipe and list of ingredients can be found at the bottom of the page.

For the chicken:

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Olive oil

For the salad:

• Rotini pasta
• Romaine lettuce
• Croutons
• Parmesan cheese
• Caesar dressing

How to Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

1. Slice your chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 thin chicken cutlets. Stir together the chicken seasonings in a small bowl and then sprinkle on both sides of the chicken pieces.
2. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, covered, for 5-6 minutes on each side. The chicken should be cooked through and no longer pink in the middle. Set aside to cool. Once cooled, chop into bite-sized cubes.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta for 7-8 minutes, until it al dente (cooked but still slightly firm in the middle of the noodles). Drain and rinse under cold water.
4. To a large bowl, add all of the salad ingredients except for the dressing.
5. Drizzle the dressing on top of the salad and toss until mixed.
6. Optionally, sprinkle more parmesan and black pepper on top of your salad before serving.

Ingredient Notes

Chicken: This recipe includes boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If you prefer, you can also use pre-cooked chicken (like rotisserie chicken) or chicken thighs.

Rotini pasta: This spiral-shaped pasta is perfect for holding onto the dressing and other ingredients. You can substitute with any short pasta shape like penne or farfalle. Bowtie pasta is another popular alternative.

Romaine lettuce: Crisp and refreshing, romaine lettuce adds a satisfying crunch to the salad. Romaine is the classic choice for Caesar salad but you could also use kale, spinach, or arugula.

Parmesan cheese: This can be store-bought shredded parmesan or you can buy a block of parmesan (like of Parmigiano-Reggiano) and grate it over your salad.

Croutons: Most stores will sell 'Caesar' croutons, which are the classic choice for this recipe. But you can use your preferred brand or flavor (like herbed croutons, garlic croutons or make your own homemade croutons).

Other toppings: This recipe keeps it's toppings simple, so feel free to add more if you prefer! Some tasty ideas would be any type of fresh tomatoes (like cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes), red onion, or avocado.

About The Dressing

A Classic Caesar dressing is recommended for this recipe, but if you aren't a fan of Caesar dressing then you can swap this out for your favorite alternative.

Ranch dressing, with its creamy texture and herby flavor, also pairs well with the chicken and pasta. Or for a lighter option, try a balsamic vinaigrette for a tangy contrast to the richness of the Parmesan cheese.

Dressing Options

Here are a few other dressing options that would be tasty either as homemade or store-bought alternatives:

• Ranch dressing
• Blue cheese dressing
• Creamy Italian dressing
• Balsamic vinaigrette

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Leftovers

To store leftovers, transfer the salad to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that the lettuce may wilt slightly, so it's best enjoyed fresh.

To preserve the texture of your salad, mix and store your dressing separately and toss your salad just before serving.

Top Tips

1. Don't overcook the pasta: You want the pasta to be al dente (still slightly firm in the middle of the noodles) so it holds its shape and texture in the salad. Once cooked, you should also rinse your pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it before adding it to your salad. 
2. Use pre-cooked chicken to save time: You can use rotisserie chicken or any other pre-cooked chicken (like breaded chicken strips) to skip the step of cooking it in this recipe.
3. Toss with the dressing just before serving: Don't let the salad sit for too long before eating it because it will start to wilt.
4. Use freshly-ground black pepper: One of the hallmarks of Caesar salad is freshly ground black pepper. Generously sprinkle some over this pasta salad before serving for added flavor and texture.

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