Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
The whole family will love this Caesar pasta salad with chicken that’s made with crisp romaine lettuce, al dente pasta, crunchy croutons, Parmesan cheese, and creamy Caesar dressing. This cold pasta salad is perfect for potlucks, meal prep lunches, and easy family dinners.Serves 8-10 as a side dish or 4 as a main meal.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. uncooked pasta such as rotini or penne
- 2 hearts of romaine chopped
- 2 cups shredded chicken or chopped chicken breasts
- 1 cup croutons optional
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- black pepper to taste
- store-bought or homemade Creamy Caesar Salad Dressing
Instructions
- Cook the pasta following the directions on the package. Rinse, drain, and set aside to cool.8 oz. uncooked pasta
- In a large serving bowl, toss the cooled pasta, chicken, and parmesan cheese together with the dressing. Season with black pepper.If you are not yet ready to serve the salad, cover and chill in the fridge.2 cups shredded chicken or chopped chicken breasts, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, store-bought or homemade Creamy Caesar Salad Dressing, black pepper
- Just before serving, toss with the prepared romaine lettuce and croutons. Taste and add additional dressing, cheese, or pepper as desired.1 cup croutons, 2 hearts of romaine
Notes
Ang's Recipe Tips
- Cook the Pasta Properly. Overcooked noodles can become mushy after sitting in the dressing. Cook the pasta until just al dente, then rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Wait to Add the Lettuce. Adding romaine too early can make the greens soggy. For the freshest texture, toss it in right before serving.
- Keep the Croutons Crisp. No one likes soft croutons. Store them separately and sprinkle them on just before you eat.
- Taste Before Serving. Taste the salad and adjust with extra Parmesan or black pepper if needed.
Storage
To Store: Store leftover chicken Caesar pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. (These are my favorite airtight containers.) Remember, for the best texture, keep the crispy croutons separate and stir them in just before serving. If possible, store the romaine separately as well.