Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a summer favorite. Chilled pasta salad filled to the brim with juicy chicken and Caesar salad flavors. A slam dunk meal! Family and friends unite for the love over this dish, protein, carbs, veggies and cheese (yum!)
Why Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad.
Few things compete with this powerhouse combination. It’s a great BBQ side dish, lighter lunch or dinner or a lip smacking side you will love. Just like my Chicken Macaroni Pasta Salad, this is a classic crown favorite.
- Easy. Comes together quick once you cook the juicy, addictive chicken.
- Healthyish. It’s got a lot of nutrient dense ingredients and loads of crisp romaine.
- Customizable. As always, you can add what you want to this dish.
Ingredient Notes
All other ingredients and measurements can be found in the recipe card towards the bottom of this post.
- Chicken Breasts. Use high quality boneless, skinless breasts for this recipe. Thighs and/or rotisserie chicken will also work!
- Seasonings. This is important for the chicken and the dressing. Dried dill, basil, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder.
- Pasta. Use any shape you desire. I like to do penne, bowtie or Cellentani.
- Caesar Dressing. I make my own in this recipe (ingredients are in the recipe card below) but you can use store bought dressing as well. Just pick your favorite.
- Parmesan. For extra flavor.
- Bread Crumbs. Or croutons! For a little crunch.
- Romaine Lettuce. This is for color, crunch and the “salad” portion of the dish.
Steps To Make This Recipe
Step Two. While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken, slice in half for a quicker cook. Heat a pan to medium/high heat. Add the seasoned chicken to a greased pan and cook for about 8-10 minutes on each side or until the chicken reaches 165º internally.
Step Three. Set the chicken to the side and let it rest. Make the Caesar dressing if using my recipe.
Step Four. Slice the chicken into cubes. Add the cooled pasta, romaine, parmesan, chicken and 3 quarters of the dressing. Toss very well. Add in croutons or bread crumbs and serve. Add more dressing if needed! Enjoy.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- 1.5 lb chicken breasts, boneless & skinless. Thighs will also work
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 6-8 oz pasta,
- 2 heads romaine lettuce, sliced , about 6-8 cups
- ¼ cup parmesan
- ⅓ cup croutons
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp capers and brine
- 3 Tbsp dijon mustard
- ½ Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 2-3 Tbsp water , just to thin the dressing to spread easy
- Start the pasta. This takes about 20 minutes, cook according to the package.Once pasta is done, you will want to rinse it with cold water.
- While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken, slice in half for a quicker cook. Heat a pan to medium/high heat. Add the seasoned chicken to a greased pan and cook for about 8-10 minutes on each side or until the chicken reaches 165º internally.
- Set the chicken to the side and let it rest. Make the Caesar dressing if using my recipe.
- Slice the chicken into cubes. Add the cooled pasta, romaine, parmesan, chicken and 3 quarters of the dressing. Toss very well. Add in croutons or bread crumbs and serve. Add more dressing if needed! Enjoy!
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