Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad--The greatest mash-up pasta and salad ever invented. This dish is equal parts comfort and freshness, with each bite satisfying the craving for something hearty, yet light and fresh.

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Why You'll Love Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A complete meal- Not your average pasta salad "side-dish". This salad is made for meal time--complete with filling carbs, protein and greens.
Easy and fast to make- Especially if you already have pre-cooked chicken, this salad takes under 20-minutes to prepare.
Awesome texture- This salad covers all the textures you're looking for when enjoying a meal--crisp romaine, tender pasta, juicy chicken, crunchy croutons, and a creamy Caesar dressing that ties it all together.
Great for meal-prep- Make the salad and enjoy it for several days after; if it lasts that long. You'll want to keep the lettuce and croutons separate along with extra dressing.

Attention Caesar lovers! You'll also love the Viral Chicken Caesar Salad Nachos, along with my Caesar Salad Chicken Wraps.

If you're new to chicken Caesar pasta salad you are in for a fun and delicious surprise. This dish takes everything you love about a fresh Caesar salad, only with a heartier twist, adding tender pasta.

With summer at our fingertips, salads become almost a daily option for my family. This Caesar pasta salad is great because it's definitely filling enough to cover meal time, but it will also serve as a great side dish at your next BBQ, or quick snack in the afternoon.

This salad has just a few ingredients and even the homemade creamy dressing is simple to throw together in 5-minutes or less.

Simple Ingredients

Ingredients arranged out on the counter for chicken Caesar pasta salad, include cooked spiral pasta, cooked chicken breast, romaine lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese, cherry tomatoes, mayo, Greek yogurt, Worcestershire sauce, milk, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.

Pasta- Spiral pasta is ideal for this recipe as the ridges in the pasta capture the creamy Caesar dressing.
Chicken- I use cooked chicken breast or use a rotisserie from the grocery store for convenience.
Tomatoes- Add a burst of fresh tomato flavor which balances the rich, creamy dressing.
Croutons- I like to crush the croutons so each bite has a little touch of crunchiness.
Parmesan cheese- An absolute essential ingredient in any Caesar salad recipe. I use it in both the dressing and toss some in with the salad.
Dressing ingredients- Mayo, plain full-fat Greek yogurt (or use sour cream) Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic, lemon juice, a splash of milk, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

Make This Pasta Salad Even Easier

Use these short-cut ingredients to make this pasta salad easier and faster.

Chicken- Purchase a rotisserie chicken from your local grocery store which will not only give you plenty of chicken for this pasta salad, but will offer you enough for another meal. Bonus Save!
Caesar dressing- This homemade dressing is very easy to make but you can also use your favorite brand from the grocery store and skip this step all together.
Pre-shredded parm- While shredding your own parmesan is much better, you can buy a quality brand that does the heavy lifting for you.

Anchovy-Free Caesar Dressing

If you get a little skeeved out by anchovies, you'll be happy to know this Caesar dressing delivers all the classic flavor without any fishy vibes - just creamy, tangy, garlicky goodness. Although Worcestershire sauce does contain anchovies, its flavor is almost non-existent, offering only depth without the strong, fish-forward taste some people shy away from. However, you can add a touch of anchovy paste right to the dressing if you prefer.

Step By Step Directions

See full instructions in recipe card below

Cook the pasta- Cook pasta according to the package directions for al dente and rinse with cold water in a colander.
Cook the chicken (unless using ready-made chicken)- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika and pan sear or grill until cooked all the way through.
Make the dressing- Combine all the dressing ingredients in a blender until creamy and smooth-ish, or you can just use a bowl and a whisk to combine until creamy.
Assemble the salad- Add the pasta to a large bowl and toss in half of the dressing. Add the chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, and parmesan cheese. Toss again, then top with crushed croutons.

Cooked chicken breast on a plate for chicken Caesar pasta salad.

Homemade Caesar dressing ingredients in a blender cup.

Cooked pasta noodles in a large bowl tossed with Caesar dressing.

Cooked pasta in a large bowl tossed with cooked chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, parmesan cheese, Caesar dressing, and topped with croutons.

Helpful Tips

💡Don't overcook the pasta- Cook the pasta just until al dente. They will continue to soften after you add the dressing and become the perfect texture.
💡Toss the dressing with the pasta first- Tossing the pasta with some of the Caesar dressing before adding the remaining ingredients will ensure the pasta is well coated.
💡Making Caesar pasta salad ahead of time- If you want to make this pasta salad ahead of time for a gathering, make sure to keep the lettuce, croutons, and part of the dressing separate until just before serving so it's fresh and super creamy.

Common Questions

🗨Can I make this pasta salad gluten-free?

Yes! Feel free to use your favorite medium shape gf pasta and croutons to make this salad completely gluten-free!

🗨Why is the pasta not as creamy leftover?

The pasta will absorb a lot of the dressing after it sits awhile. To make it creamy again, you can add in a touch more mayo and a splash of half and half or heavy cream.

🗨How long will this pasta salad last?

This will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, however, if you've added the lettuce, the greens will be wilted after just a few hours.

Chicken Caesar pasta salad plated on a small plate.

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