5.0 from 6 votes
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This is an easy pasta salad with chicken, loaded with tomatoes and lettuce, and tossed with a homemade Caesar dressing.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 583 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- Kosher salt & pepper to taste
- 1 pound chicken breast
- 1 romaine lettuce chopped
- 1- pint cherry tomatoes - or grape tomatoes halved
- 1/3 cup freshly grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cup homemade Caesar or Ranch dressing
Instructions
- Cook the 8 ounces pasta according to the package directions.
- Once the pasta is done, drain well in a colander and run under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Season the 1 pound chicken breast with some kosher salt & pepper. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoon olive oil and heat until shimmering.
- Place the chicken breast into the hot pan and sear each side until nicely golden-brown about 4 to 6 minutes per side.
- While the chicken is cooking, chop the 1 romaine lettuce into bite-size pieces and cut the 1- pint cherry tomatoes - or grape tomatoes in half.
- Once the chicken is done, place it on a cutting board and then slice it into bite-size pieces.
- Next, place the cooked pasta, sliced chicken, lettuce, and tomatoes in a large salad bowl.
- Drizzle 1 1/2 cup homemade Caesar on top and toss well to combine. Garnish with 1/3 cup freshly grated or shaved Parmesan cheese
- Serve the salad cold or at room temperature.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use cold leftover chicken or you may use rotisserie chicken which works great in this pasta salad recipe.
- Be sure not to overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is ideal. Also, make sure you drain and rinse the pasta to stop the pasta from cooking further.
- Use high-quality and freshly grated parmesan cheese. It will be able to taste the difference!
- Use any Pasta of choice. Whole wheat, gluten-free, or lentil pasta will work just fine.
- To make this pasta salad vegetarian, skip the chicken.
- Enjoy this chicken pasta salad at room temperature or chill in the fridge for 30-60 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Calories
583kcal
(29%)
Carbohydrates
30g
(10%)
Protein
25g
(50%)
Fat
40g
(62%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
20g
Monounsaturated Fat
10g
Trans Fat
0.01g
Cholesterol
75mg
(25%)
Sodium
897mg
(37%)
Potassium
485mg
(14%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
878IU
(18%)
Vitamin C
19mg
(21%)
Calcium
108mg
(11%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 583
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 583kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 30g | 10% |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
| Fat | 40g | 62% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 20g | 118% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 75mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 897mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 485mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 878IU | 18% |
| Vitamin C | 19mg | 21% |
| Calcium | 108mg | 11% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.