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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

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This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe is so delicious and easy to make. Enjoy a tasty combo of pasta, tender chicken, and zesty homemade Caesar dressing.

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad overhead shot

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Get ready for this amazing Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad! Making it is super simple – just cook pasta, add grilled chicken, and mix it with homemade creamy Caesar dressing. The flavors are out of this world. Imagine the scrumptious blend of savory chicken, al dente pasta, veggies, and the tangy kick of Caesar dressing. This dish is a winner for any meal – lunch, dinner, or even a picnic. Don’t miss out on the joy of savoring this deliciousness!

What You’ll Need

For the Salad: The two main ingredients in this pasta salad are penne pasta (or rotini) and chicken, along with chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes(or grape tomatoes), onions, Parmesan cheese, pepper, and croutons.

For the Homemade Caesar Dressing: To make homemade dressing you need mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovies, although some people choose to skip the anchovies.

How To Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

  • Make the Pasta: To begin, boil your pasta in a large pot of salted water. When it is done, drain it, and set it aside to cool. If you are making your own chicken, go ahead and cook that in the oven or on the grill. To make this much faster you can grab a bag of pre-made chicken like the Tyson Grilled & Ready from the frozen section. Rotisserie chicken is another option.
  • Veggies: Slice up your veggies into bite-size pieces and toss your dry ingredients (except the pasta) all together in a bowl. Next up is the dressing.
  • Make the dressing: Simply whisk all the ingredients together. Feel free to skip the anchovies if they aren’t your thing. Take half of this dressing and pour it over the pasta and set it in the fridge for half an hour.
  • Mix: When that is ready, mix the salad, the pasta, and the remaining dressing in one big bowl.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad close up

How Long Is Pasta Salad Good For?

Since this recipe has mayo and sour cream, it needs to be stored in the refrigerator, in an airtight container and is good for about three days.

Can I Use Store Bought Caesar Salad Dressing?

While I highly recommend that you should try making this dressing from scratch because it is so easy and tastes amazing, you can use a store-bought dressing if you are short on ingredients or time.

What Goes With Pasta Salad?

Because this recipe has chicken, it can totally be used as a meal in my opinion. It does, however, go as a great side dish for any of your favorite BBQ recipes.

Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad in a bowl

Variations For Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

  • Dress it Up: Switch up the dressing by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter twist. Blend in a bit of Dijon mustard for an extra zing!
  • Mediterranean Delight: Add a Mediterranean twist by tossing in chopped Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and a sprinkle of oregano.
  • Veggie Power: Boost the veggie factor by adding diced cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onion. This adds a refreshing crunch and vibrant colors.
  • Seafood Surprise: Instead of chicken, try shrimp or flaked tuna for a seafood version. It’s a burst of flavors that complements the Caesar dressing perfectly.
  • Nutty Crunch: Introduce a delightful crunch with toasted pine nuts or chopped almonds. They add a nutty depth that pairs amazingly with the creamy dressing.
  • Avocado Elegance: For a creamy twist, add slices of ripe avocado. The creaminess plays well with the tangy dressing and adds a luxurious texture.
  • Herb Infusion: Mix in some chopped fresh basil, parsley, or chives for an herbaceous infusion that takes the flavor to a whole new level.
  • Gluten Free: Need a gluten free option? Grab a box of your favorite gluten-free-pasta and make this salad.
 onChicken Caesar Pasta Salad a spoon

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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe is so delicious and easy to make. Enjoy a tasty combo of pasta, tender chicken, and zesty homemade Caesar dressing.
Servings: 10
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Ingredients
  

Dressing Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 lb penne pasta cooked
  • 6 leaves Romaine lettuce thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 4 green onions sliced
  • 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 grilled chicken breasts diced
  • 1 1/2 cups garlic croutons

Instructions

  • Cook and drain the pasta.
  • Cook or grill the chicken. (Or use pre-packaged chicken from the deli.)
  • Slice the lettuce, tomatoes and onion.

Dressing Directions:

  • Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl until combined.
  • Use half of the dressing to coat pasta in a large bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Mix remaining ingredients in a very large mixing bowl with remaining dressing and serve.

Last Step:

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Nutrition

Calories: 424kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 265mg | Potassium: 326mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1731IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 2mg

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