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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

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A hearty salad that combines the flavors of Caesar salad with pasta, making it perfect for potlucks and picnics.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz dry rotini pasta or penne
  • 1 lb cooked chicken breast, diced
  • 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 3/4 cup Caesar dressing
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 1/2 cups croutons
  • 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook to al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes.
  2. Drain the pasta and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking. Shake off excess water and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together Caesar dressing, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder, anchovy paste (if using), salt, and pepper until smooth.
  4. Pour half of the dressing over the warm (not hot) pasta and toss to coat. Let the pasta cool for 5 minutes to absorb flavor.
  5. Add diced cooked chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley to the pasta. Toss gently to combine.
  6. Fold in the chopped romaine and croutons right before serving to maintain crunch. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.

Notes

For a lighter version, swap half the Caesar dressing for plain Greek yogurt. Gluten-free pasta and croutons can also be used. Omit anchovy paste for a milder taste.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.simplefamilydishes.com/chicken-caesar-pasta-salad-recipes/