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Delicious Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad served in a bowl with fresh ingredients.

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A comforting and quick Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad made with grilled chicken, crisp romaine, and a creamy dressing.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients
  • 2 cups cooked rotini or penne pasta, cooled
  • 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 2 breasts grilled chicken, sliced or cubed
  • 1 cup croutons
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp anchovy paste (optional)
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down for the salad.
  2. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Grill or pan-sear until cooked through, then slice or cube into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Wash and chop the romaine lettuce into medium-sized pieces that provide a satisfying crunch.
  4. For homemade dressing, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and freshly grated Parmesan until creamy.
Assembly
  1. In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta, chicken, romaine lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese with enough dressing to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
  2. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Serve chilled, garnished with extra Parmesan, cracked black pepper, and lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

Chill before serving for flavor melding. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the dressing if needed.