Description

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines the creamy, tangy flavors of classic Caesar salad with hearty pasta and juicy chicken for a satisfying, budget-friendly lunch or dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes and perfect for meal prep, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s endlessly customizable.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped (about 8 oz)
8 oz short pasta (rotini, penne, or bow-tie)
3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved
1/2 cup Caesar dressing
1 cup croutons
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt, then stir in the pasta. Cook according to package instructions (usually 8-10 minutes) until just al dente.
Drain the pasta using a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking and prevent sticking.
While the pasta cooks, chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, slice the romaine lettuce, halve the cherry tomatoes, and shred the Parmesan if needed.
In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with 2-3 tablespoons of Caesar dressing. Toss until the noodles are just coated.
Stir in the chopped chicken, romaine, tomatoes, and most of the Parmesan (reserve a bit for topping). Add another 2-3 tablespoons of Caesar dressing and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Squeeze in the lemon juice and sprinkle with salt and black pepper to taste. Toss again.
Just before serving, top with croutons and the reserved Parmesan. If packing for lunch, keep the croutons separate until ready to eat.

Notes

For best texture, add lettuce and croutons just before serving. Use rotisserie or leftover chicken for speed. For gluten-free, use GF pasta and croutons. Taste and adjust seasoning and dressing to your preference. Salad keeps up to 3 days in the fridge, but lettuce and croutons are best added fresh.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 1 1/2 cups
Calories: 400
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 700
Fat: 14
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 40
Fiber: 3
Protein: 25

Keywords: chicken caesar pasta salad, pasta salad, easy lunch, meal prep, budget recipe, chicken salad, caesar salad, picnic, potluck, quick dinner