Description
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish combining tender cooked pasta, seasoned chicken breast, crisp romaine lettuce, and cherry tomatoes, all tossed in a creamy Caesar dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner, it is easy to prepare and can be served chilled or at room temperature.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded or chopped)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 1/2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup croutons
Dressing and Cheese
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing (plus more to taste)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, shredded or chopped chicken, cherry tomatoes, chopped romaine lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour in the Caesar dressing and toss all the ingredients together until well coated with the dressing.
- Season: Add salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as desired.
- Add Croutons and Serve: Gently fold in the croutons just before serving to maintain their crunch. Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature with optional lemon wedges for added brightness.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for quick and convenient preparation.
- For extra flavor, grill or pan-sear the chicken with Italian seasoning before chopping.
- This salad can be made a few hours ahead; add croutons and lettuce right before serving to preserve texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
