Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This creamy Caesar pasta salad is the perfect summer side dish. Quick, flavorful, and made with grilled or rotisserie chicken!
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This creamy chicken Caesar pasta salad is a quick and easy twist on a classic chicken Caesar salad. It combines all the familiar flavors of a Caesar salad with the satisfying comfort of pasta, making it perfect for weeknight dinners, summer BBQs, or neighborhood parties.
What You’ll Love About This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe:
Ingredients Needed
How to Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your rotini pasta and cook until al dente, following the package instructions. Once done, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly.
- While the pasta is cooling, chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Combine the cooled pasta, chopped lettuce, Caesar dressing, grated Parmesan cheese, and croutons in a large mixing bowl. Toss everything together until evenly coated with dressing.
- Top with cooked chicken—either shredded or chopped—and give everything a gentle mix. You can serve the salad immediately or chill it for 15–30 minutes if you prefer a colder pasta salad.
Find the measurements and full recipe below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can make it up to a few hours ahead. For the best texture, add the croutons just before serving so they stay crunchy.
Can I use other types of pasta?
Absolutely. Eight ounces of bow-tie pasta, penne, or fusilli all work great!
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days. Keep croutons separate for the best texture.
Optional Salad Mix-Ins
This pasta salad is easy to customize. Try adding:
- Sliced cherry or grape tomatoes for a juicy pop of flavor.
- Chopped cooked bacon to add saltiness and crunch.
- Sliced red onion for a bite of sharpness.
- Avocado for creaminess.
And don’t forget—you can use your favorite Caesar dressing from the grocery store or mix in homemade dressing with lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper for a flavor boost.
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Tips & Tricks
- Cook your pasta al dente so it holds its shape and doesn’t get mushy after mixing with dressing.
- Cool the pasta entirely before adding the lettuce to keep the romaine from wilting.
- Use rotisserie chicken to cut down on prep time. Shred it while the pasta cooks.
- You can customize your Caesar dressing to suit your family’s taste—it can be creamier, tangier, or garlicky.
If you’ve been looking for a fresh spin on a classic side dish, this Caesar pasta salad might just become your new favorite. With minimal prep, simple ingredients, and bold, familiar flavors, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll turn to again and again for potlucks, BBQs, or even an easy weeknight dinner.
Whether you serve it as a side or a main, this creamy, crunchy, and satisfying dish will please the whole family. Give it a try—you may never look at Caesar salad the same way again!
Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This creamy chicken Caesar pasta salad is the perfect summer side dish. Quick, flavorful, and made with grilled or rotisserie chicken!
Ingredients
- 8 oz Rotini Pasta
- 2 cups Chopped Romaine Lettuce
- 1½ cups Caesar Dressing
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1 cup Croutons
- 2 cups Cooked Chicken, diced or shredded
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Add the cooled pasta, chopped romaine, Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese, and croutons in a large mixing bowl. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Top with cooked chicken. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 15–30 minutes before serving for a colder pasta salad.
Notes
- Sprinkle black pepper to taste.
- Try sliced cherry tomatoes or cooked bacon for extra flavor.
- Rotisserie chicken works perfectly for this recipe—it's flavorful, tender, and a huge time-saver!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 819Total Fat: 66gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 49gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 1450mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 26g
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