Description
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines tender cooked chicken breast with al dente pasta, crisp romaine lettuce, and a creamy Caesar dressing topped with garlicky breadcrumbs and fresh parsley. A refreshing, satisfying salad perfect for lunch or a light dinner, served chilled for best flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, cubed or sliced
- 8 oz pasta (penne, bowtie, or fusilli), cooked al dente
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup garlicky breadcrumbs or crushed croutons
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
- Olive oil (to emulsify, amount as needed)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts and cook by your preferred method—grilling, baking, or pan-frying—until fully cooked through. Allow the chicken to cool slightly before cubing or slicing it into bite-sized pieces.
- Prep Lettuce: Wash and dry the romaine lettuce thoroughly. Chop it into bite-sized pieces for easy eating and to evenly distribute in the salad.
- Make Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, and anchovy paste if using. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the dressing until it achieves a creamy, smooth texture.
- Assemble Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, chopped romaine lettuce, and Parmesan cheese. Pour the prepared Caesar dressing over the ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Add Crunch and Garnish: Just before serving, sprinkle the garlicky breadcrumbs or crushed croutons over the top, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added color and freshness.
- Serve: Serve the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad cold. Optionally, add extra Parmesan cheese or lemon wedges on the side for guests to customize their servings.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor in both the salad and dressing.
- Anchovy paste is optional but adds a traditional umami depth to the Caesar dressing.
- To keep the salad crunchy, add the breadcrumbs just before serving.
- Chicken can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for easy meal prep.
- Any short pasta shape like penne, bowtie, or fusilli works well to hold the dressing.
- For a lighter option, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days but add breadcrumbs fresh each time.
