Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
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Let’s just start out by saying you need this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad in your life! Pasta salads are totally my thing lately so I decided to add turn one of my favorite salads into a pasta salad And yes of course it’s even better than just a plain salad itself because pasta makes everything delicious!
It also makes it that much more filling so it’s feels like more of a meal than just a salad does. I also loved this because my kids were much more excited to eat it for dinner than they would be to just eat a salad. Kids love pasta. I love pasta, and I’m seriously loving this Caesar Pasta Salad!
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients
For the dressing you’ll need:
- Anchovies
- Mayonnaise
- Lemon
- Parmesan cheese
- Dijon mustard
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
For the salad you’ll need:
- Penne pasta
- Romaine lettuce
- Grilled chicken breasts
- Grape tomatoes
- Parsley
- Parmesan cheese
- Croutons
How to Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Cook the pasta: Cook pasta in salted water according to directions on package.
Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water before draining and set aside to cool.
Drain pasta then transfer to an 18 by 13-inch rimmed baking sheet that’s sprayed with non-stick cooking spray or lined with parchment paper and let cool completely.
Make the dressing: Mince anchovies and place in a medium mixing bowl, mash to a paste with the back of a spoon.
Add in mayonnaise, lemon juice, parmesan, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk to blend.
Chill in fridge until ready to use.
Add prepared salad ingredients to large bowl: Add cooled pasta, lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, and parsley to a large salad bowl.
Toss ingredients with dressing: Pour dressing over top and toss to evenly coat, thin mixture with pasta water as needed (it will thicken as it sits).
Finish with Croutons and Parmesan: Add croutons and parmesan and toss a few times incorporate.
Serve within a few hours of preparing as the lettuce will start to wilt. Keep chilled.
Helpful Tips for the Best Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Another Type of Pasta?
Other types of bite size pasta will work great here as well. You can use bowtie pasta (farfalle), fusilli, rotini, campenelle, or orecchiette.
Will Rotisserie Chicken Work?
If you don’t have time to grill chicken a store-bought rotisserie chicken will work really well here too.
Can Chicken Thighs be Used?
Grilled chicken thighs are a great alternative to chicken breasts in this recipe.
How Can I Make the Dressing Healthier/Lighter?
If you want to make a lighter dressing try substituting plain Greek yogurt with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Reduce lemon to 2 Tbsp since it’s already quite tangy.
Follow Easy Cooking Zone
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
- 5 anchovy fillets, canned in oil (drained)
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Salad
- 10 oz. dry penne pasta
- 4 cups (slighlty packed) chopped romaine lettuce (preferably romaine hearts or the center portion)
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, grilled then chopped
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 3/4 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cup croutons, homemade or store-bought
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, to thin as needed
Instructions
Cook the pasta
- Cook pasta in salted water according to directions on package. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water and set aside to cool. Drain pasta then transfer to an 18 by 13-inch rimmed baking sheet that's sprayed with non-stick cooking spray or lined with parchment paper and let cool completely.
Make the dressing
- Mince anchovies and place in a medium mixing bowl, mash to a paste with the back of a spoon. Add in mayonnaise, lemon juice, parmesan, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk to blend. Chill in fridge until ready to use.
Toss salad and dressing
- Add cooled pasta, lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, and parsley to a large salad bowl. Pour dressing over top and toss to evenly coat, thin mixture with pasta water as needed (it will thicken as it sits).
- Add croutons and parmesan and toss a few times incorporate. Serve within a few hours of preparing as the lettuce will start to wilt. Keep chilled.