Description
Creamy chicken caesar pasta salad delivers Mediterranean-inspired comfort with zesty parmesan and crisp romaine. Herb-infused dressing and tender chicken create a perfect summer meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups rotini pasta, cooked and cooled
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
- 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
Cheese and Topping:
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup croutons
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
- Optional: fresh lemon juice, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil rotini in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process.
- Cube cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniform size for consistent texture.
- Chop romaine lettuce into crisp, bite-sized fragments to distribute evenly throughout the pasta.
- Combine cooled pasta, chicken, and lettuce in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a vibrant base for the salad.
- Drizzle Caesar dressing generously, tossing ingredients carefully to ensure complete and uniform coating.
- Shower freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the mixture, gently folding to incorporate without crushing delicate components.
- Scatter crunchy croutons across the top for added textural contrast and traditional Caesar salad essence.
- Optional: Squeeze fresh lemon juice for a bright, tangy finish that elevates the overall flavor profile.
- Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld, or serve immediately for optimal freshness and temperature.
Notes
- Perfectly time your pasta cooking to achieve an al dente texture that holds up well in the salad without becoming mushy.
- Quickly cool the pasta under cold water after draining to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping.
- Opt for grilled or rotisserie chicken for a more robust flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
- Customize the salad for dietary needs by using gluten-free pasta, dairy-free Caesar dressing, or plant-based protein alternatives like tofu or chickpeas.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg