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+ servings

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A refreshing and hearty Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad that combines tender chicken, crisp romaine, and a creamy Caesar dressing, all tossed with pasta for a satisfying meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta and Chicken
  • 8 oz Penne pasta or any pasta of your choice
  • 2 cups Cooked chicken breast diced or shredded
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil for grilling chicken
  • 1 tsp Salt to taste
  • 1 tsp Black pepper to taste
For the Salad
  • 4 cups Romaine lettuce chopped
  • 1 cup Cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1/4 cup Croutons store-bought or homemade
For the Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise for creaminess
  • 2 tbsp Lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard for tanginess
  • 1 clove Garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce adds depth of flavor

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the Chicken
  1. Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Drizzle the olive oil and season the chicken breast with salt and black pepper.
  2. Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and no longer pink in the center. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before dicing or shredding.
Make the Dressing
  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
  2. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning if necessary. Set aside.
Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced chicken, chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, and croutons.
  2. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently using tongs until everything is well coated.
  3. Sprinkle the additional Parmesan cheese on top for garnish and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This salad can be made ahead of time; however, it's best to add the dressing just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp.

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