Description
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines tender shredded chicken, crunchy romaine lettuce, al dente rotini pasta, and a creamy Caesar dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner, this salad is easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite greens and garnishes like cherry tomatoes and croutons.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini pasta (Can substitute with penne or fusilli)
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (Use rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken breasts)
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce (Can mix with other greens like spinach or arugula)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (Freshly grated is recommended)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- To taste salt and pepper (Essential for seasoning)
Dressing and Garnishes
- 1 cup Caesar dressing (Store-bought or homemade)
- Cherry tomatoes (For garnish)
- Croutons (For garnish)
- Additional Parmesan cheese (For garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Prepare the chicken: Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or grill seasoned chicken breasts until cooked through. Shred or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Chop the greens: Wash and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Place the chopped lettuce into a large mixing bowl.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, shredded chicken, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder to the bowl with the romaine lettuce.
- Add the dressing: Drizzle Caesar dressing over the mixture, starting with half the amount and adding more as needed to coat the ingredients evenly.
- Season to taste: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to your preference. Add more cheese or dressing if desired for extra flavor.
- Chill and serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, garnish with cherry tomatoes, croutons, and additional Parmesan cheese for added texture and taste.
Notes
- For added freshness, you can substitute or mix romaine lettuce with spinach or arugula.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese whenever possible to enhance flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days for best quality.
- Make sure to cool the pasta completely before mixing to prevent the lettuce from wilting.
- For a lighter version, use a low-fat or homemade Caesar dressing with less oil.
