Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad (Printable)
Tender chicken, pasta, and crisp romaine tossed in creamy Caesar dressing with Parmesan and croutons.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (approximately 12 ounces total)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Pasta
05 - 9 ounces short pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle)
→ Vegetables
06 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
→ Caesar Dressing
08 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
09 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
13 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
14 - 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
16 - 1/3 cup shaved or grated Parmesan cheese
17 - 1 cup croutons
# How To Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to stop cooking, and set aside to cool completely.
02 - Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, then season evenly with salt and pepper. Grill or pan-sear over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and anchovy paste if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste, whisking until smooth and creamy.
04 - In a large serving bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes if using, and sliced chicken. Drizzle dressing evenly over the top.
05 - Toss salad gently to coat all ingredients with dressing. Top with shaved Parmesan and croutons. Serve immediately while pasta and chicken are still slightly cool.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The creamy homemade Caesar dressing puts store bought versions to absolute shame
- You can prep everything ahead and toss it together in under five minutes
02 -
- Rinse your pasta with cold water or it will keep cooking and turn into mush while you prep everything else
- Let the chicken rest for at least five minutes before slicing or all those juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in your salad
03 -
- Use a box grater to make delicate Parmesan shavings instead of thick chunks
- Toast your croutons in the oven for just a few minutes for that restaurant style crunch