Description
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a delicious and hearty twist on the traditional Caesar salad, combining protein-rich chicken, tender pasta, fresh romaine lettuce, and a creamy homemade Caesar dressing. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or easy dinner, this salad is packed with flavor and can be prepared ahead of time for convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Zest and juice of 1 large lemon (1 teaspoon zest and ~3 tablespoons juice)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (2-3 teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Salad
- 8 oz dry fusilli corti bucati pasta or other pasta shape (½ package)
- 6 cups (7 ounces) chopped romaine lettuce or finely chopped kale
- 3 cups (16 ounces) cooked chopped chicken
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced (optional)
- ⅓ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- Optional toppings: roasted chickpeas, toasted pine nuts, raw pumpkin seeds, or croutons
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth. You can make the dressing up to 5 days ahead and store it in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld.
- Cook the pasta: Prepare the fusilli pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. The pasta can be cooked up to 2 days in advance and kept refrigerated.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooked and cooled pasta, chopped romaine lettuce or kale, cooked chopped chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced avocado if using.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the prepared Caesar dressing over the combined salad ingredients and gently toss to coat everything evenly without bruising the lettuce or breaking up the chicken.
- Garnish and serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with shaved Parmesan cheese. Add any optional toppings such as roasted chickpeas, toasted pine nuts, raw pumpkin seeds, or crunchy croutons for extra texture and flavor. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- This recipe turns a classic Caesar salad into a filling main dish with the addition of pasta and protein-rich chicken.
- The homemade Caesar dressing adds rich, tangy flavor and can be prepared days in advance for easy meal prep.
- You can swap kale for romaine lettuce for a heartier leafy green alternative.
- Optional toppings add texture and can be tailored to your preference for crunch or nuttiness.
- The salad holds up well when made ahead, making it ideal for meal planning or potlucks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cups
- Calories: 419
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 56 mg
