Description
A delightful twist on the classic Caesar salad, this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines succulent chicken, fresh Romaine, and creamy dressing with pasta for a perfect meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 oz. uncooked pasta, such as rotini or penne
- 2 hearts of Romaine lettuce, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or chopped cooked chicken breasts
- Croutons (optional)
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, minced garlic, and anchovy paste until fully combined. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Set the dressing aside while preparing the salad.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large serving bowl.
- Prepare the salad ingredients: Cut the Romaine hearts into 1-inch pieces and add them to the bowl with the cooked pasta. Add the shredded rotisserie chicken or chopped chicken breasts.
- Toss the salad: Pour the prepared Caesar dressing over the pasta, lettuce, and chicken mixture. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to ensure even coating.
- Add finishing touches: If desired, add croutons for extra crunch and sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top. Serve the pasta salad immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- For a lighter option, use Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise for the dressing.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like cherry tomatoes or cucumbers.
- This salad can be made ahead of time; just add croutons right before serving to maintain their crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg