Description
Culinary magic happens when zesty chicken caesar pasta salad meets summer’s fresh embrace. Cool, creamy dressing mingles with crisp romaine and tender pasta, inviting friends to savor each delightful Mediterranean-inspired bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Ingredients:
Main Proteins:
- 2 cups (200 g) cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated or shaved
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 2 cups (200 g) pasta (rotini, penne, or bowties)
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- ½ cup croutons
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Dressing and Seasonings:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2–3 tablespoons water (to thin, if necessary)
Instructions
- Select a generously sized cooking vessel and fill with salted water. Bring liquid to a rolling boil, then gently submerge pasta, ensuring it cooks until perfectly tender yet firm.
- Drain pasta thoroughly and rinse under cold water to halt cooking process. Allow pasta to cool completely, spreading it out to prevent clumping.
- Create a robust Caesar dressing by vigorously whisking together creamy mayonnaise, sharp Parmesan, tangy lemon juice, zesty Dijon mustard, umami-rich Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Gradually incorporate water, one tablespoon at a time, to achieve a smooth, pourable consistency that will gracefully coat each ingredient.
- Select a spacious mixing bowl and combine the cooled pasta with tender, shredded chicken, crisp romaine lettuce, and vibrant cherry tomatoes.
- Drizzle the freshly prepared Caesar dressing over the ingredients, gently tossing to ensure every morsel is deliciously coated.
- Enhance the salad’s texture and flavor by generously sprinkling additional Parmesan cheese and crunchy croutons just before serving.
- For optimal enjoyment, serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for up to two hours to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
Notes
- Perfectly cook pasta by ensuring it’s al dente to maintain a satisfying texture and prevent mushiness.
- Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly for the salad.
- Customize the dressing’s consistency by gradually adding water, allowing you to control its thickness and coating ability.
- Boost protein content by using grilled, rotisserie, or leftover chicken for added convenience and flavor variety.
- Prepare the salad just before serving to keep lettuce crisp and prevent wilting from the dressing.
- Make it vegetarian by swapping chicken with roasted chickpeas or grilled tofu for a plant-based alternative.
- Enhance nutrition by adding extra veggies like cucumbers, bell peppers, or avocado for more color and texture.
- Store leftovers separately to maintain crispness, keeping dressing, croutons, and lettuce apart until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg