Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
537 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course, Salad
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Cuisine
American
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Description
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad brings together tender grilled chicken thighs seasoned with Cajun spices and pasta cooked to just the right firmness. The salad is built by tossing cooked pasta, chopped grilled chicken, crisp romaine lettuce, and croutons with a creamy Caesar-style dressing. This dressing, made from mayonnaise combined with yogurt, Parmesan, lemon juice, anchovy paste, garlic, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, delivers a balanced bold flavor that complements the smoky bacon and fresh salad ingredients. The result is a well-textured salad featuring the combination of crunchy bacon, crisp greens, and chewy pasta.
The salad can be enjoyed immediately, served cold, and is practical for meal prep since the dressing helps keep the pasta moist. Adding lemon wedges at serving lifts the dish with a bright citrus note to contrast the richness. The salad works well as a substantial side or light main dish in warmer weather.
For prep efficiency, the dressing is made first to allow flavors to meld. Chicken is grilled and cooled before chopping to maintain juicy texture. To prevent sogginess, romaine lettuce is added just before serving, and salad components can be tossed with the dressing in stages. Bacon and Parmesan add savory accents to the overall flavor and texture profile.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta or other medium pasta
- 1 ¼ pounds chicken breast about 3 small or 2 medium breasts, boneless skinless
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning or ¾ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 6 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup croutons
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 6 lices Bacon cooked and crumbled
- lemon for serving, wedges
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup yogurt or sour cream, plain, Greek
- ⅓ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice more to taste, fresh
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon anchovy paste
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- To make the dressing, in a medium bowl, whisk mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Parmesan, lemon juice, garlic, anchovy paste, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate.
- To make the salad, cook the pasta al dente in salted water according to the package directions. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop it from cooking.
- Preheat the grill to medium heat.
- Pound the chicken breasts to ½-inch thick. Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and season with cajun seasoning or salt and pepper taste.
- Grill over medium heat 5-6 minutes per side or until juices run clear and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Cool completely and then chop into bite size picess.
- In a large salad bowl, combine pasta, chicken, romaine, croutons, parmesan cheese, and bacon. Add the dressing a bit at a time and toss well to coat, you may not need all of the dressing.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Prepare the dressing ahead of time for better flavor blending before assembling the salad.
- Combine pasta, chicken, bacon, and dressing before adding romaine lettuce to avoid sogginess; toss lettuce in just before serving.
- Leaving out the chicken makes this salad a lighter side dish option.
- Grilling chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F ensures safe cooking and juicy texture.
- Leftovers should be kept refrigerated and consumed within a few days for best freshness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 537 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 537 | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 30g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 14g | 82% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 64mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 706mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 503mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 3194IU | 64% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 178mg | 18% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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