Description
Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad with juicy chicken, crisp romaine, Parmesan cheese, and tender pasta for a quick family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound rotini, penne, or farfalle pasta
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup Caesar dressing
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk or cream if needed
- 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup croutons
Instructions
- Pound the chicken breasts to half-inch thickness.
- Mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt before seasoning the chicken.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked.
- Let the chicken rest before dicing into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente.
- Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water before cooling completely.
- Whisk together mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, Caesar dressing, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Add cooled pasta and toss well to coat.
- Fold in chicken, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
- Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes.
- Add croutons before serving and enjoy chilled.
Notes
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Keep croutons separate until serving to maintain crunch.
- Add milk or extra dressing if the pasta absorbs too much dressing during storage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 20
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 95