Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad: A Delicious and Easy Recipe for Busy Weeknights
A quick and flavorful Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad that combines the classic flavors of a Caesar salad with the heartiness of pasta and chicken. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, this recipe is easy to customize and comes together in just 12 minutes! Plus, I’ve included handy shortcuts and tips to make it even faster.
- Prep Time: 5minutes
- Cook Time: 7minutes
- Total Time: 12minutes
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 stalks romaine lettuce (or 1 Caesar salad kit)
- 1 cup cooked chicken (shredded or cubed)
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup uncooked rotini or your favorite pasta
- 1 cup croutons
- 1 cup Caesar dressing
- Black pepper (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again. Set aside.
- Prep the Lettuce: Chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, discarding the core. (Skip this step if using a salad kit.)
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cold pasta, cooked chicken, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and Caesar dressing. Add black pepper if desired.
- Toss and Serve: Gently toss the salad to coat everything evenly with the dressing. Serve immediately to keep the lettuce crisp.
Notes
- Chicken Options: Use rotisserie chicken, pre-cooked diced chicken, or even canned chicken for a time-saving shortcut.
- Lettuce Swap: Save time by using a pre-packaged Caesar salad kit (about 11 oz.) instead of chopping romaine.
- Dressing: Store-bought Caesar dressing works great, but feel free to use your favorite brand or homemade version.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the ingredients in advance, but wait to add the dressing until just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp.
Nutrition
- Calories: 512 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 58mg