Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
514 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Salad
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Cuisine
American
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Description
This pasta salad uses cooked pasta drained and rinsed to stop cooking and cool it quickly. Bacon is crisped separately and removed from the pan, leaving rendered fat for cooking chicken halves seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. The chicken is pan-fried until golden and cooked through.
Once the cooked components are ready, they are combined with chopped romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and Caesar dressing. The grated or shaved Parmesan cheese adds a sharp, salty note that complements the dressing. Optional lemon juice can be added to brighten the overall flavor.
This salad is flexible for serving sizes and ingredients can be adjusted to taste. Rotisserie chicken can be a convenient substitute. Making Caesar dressing and croutons from scratch will extend prep time but can also be prepared ahead. The layered preparation allows multitasking during cooking to manage efficiency.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta uncooked
- 6 trips Bacon cut into small pieces
- 2 large chicken breast cut in half lengthwise
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped or torn
- 2 cups croutons
- 3/4 cup caesar dressing or to taste
- 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese finely grated or shaved
- lemon juice (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- If you are making my Caesar dressing and/or croutons, I suggest prepping those first prior to starting this recipe. For this recipe, I prep as I go along (like while the pasta, bacon, and chicken are cooking) to save time.
- Boil a salted pot for the pasta. Cook it al dente according to package directions. Once it's done, drain it and rinse it with cold water. Let it sit in a colander/sieve so it drains thoroughly while you're doing other steps in the recipe.
- Meanwhile, cut the bacon into bite-size pieces (I use kitchen shears to make this easy), and cook it over medium-high heat until crispy (about 10 minutes). Once it's finished, take the pan off the heat and remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate, and leave the fat in the pan.
- Cut your chicken in half lengthwise and season both sides with the garlic powder and salt & pepper. Return the skillet to the heat (medium high), and when the fat is hot, fry the chicken for about 5 minutes/side or until it's golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate and let it cool a bit prior to slicing it into strips.
- Once your pasta, bacon, and chicken are all ready, it's time to assemble the salad in a large bowl. Toss it with the dressing (feel free to add more if needed). I like to squeeze a little bit of lemon juice on top of the salad prior to serving. I suggest eating this salad as soon as you've added the dressing.
Notes
- This recipe can be halved or adjusted easily for smaller portions.
- Ingredient quantities can be customized to personal taste for seasoning and component amounts.
- Rotisserie chicken is a convenient substitute to save cooking time.
- Allow extra prep time if making Caesar dressing or croutons from scratch; multitask to save time.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 514 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 514kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 50g | 17% |
| Protein | 25g | 50% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 58mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 566mg | 24% |
| Potassium | 442mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 2104IU | 42% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 88mg | 9% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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