This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a delectable fusion of classic Caesar salad and savory chicken pasta, creating a mouthwatering dish that tantalizes both pasta and salad lovers. It combines the rich flavors of chicken, al dente pasta, crisp lettuce, golden bread croutons and a creamy Caesar dressing, resulting in a symphony of tastes and textures that is both satisfying and refreshing.
The fusilli pasta provides a delightful chewiness and serves as the hearty foundation of the dish. The pasta acts as the perfect canvas to absorb the flavors of the other ingredients, creating a harmonious blend.
The bread croutons are toasted to perfection, resulting in a satisfying crunch that complements the other ingredients.
The crisp romaine lettuce add a nice crunch to the dish. The salad is then generously dressed with a creamy Caesar dressing, which complements the ingredients with its rich and tangy flavor.
As you take a bite, the combination of the creamy dressing, tender chicken, al dente pasta, and crisp vegetables, along with the satisfying crunch of the croutons, creates a truly delightful dining experience.
How to make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Start by preparing the croutons, then prepare the chicken, boil the pasta, cut the lettuce and then prepare the dressing.
How to make the bread croutons
Dirst, mix oil with garlic in a bowl and set it aside for a few minutes to infuse.
Next, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the bread into bite-size cubes, approximately ¾-inch (2cm) pieces.
After that, sieve the infused oil into a large bowl, add salt and pepper to taste, and incorporate grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to combine.
Then, place the cubed bread into the bowl and toss it to coat evenly.
Arrange the bread cubes on a baking sheet in a single layer and place them in the oven.
Bake for approximately 5 minutes, then flip and toss them with a spatula. Continue baking for another 5 minutes until the bread croutons turn golden brown.
How to prepare the chicken
Now, prepare the chicken by pounding the chicken breast to an even thickness of about ½-inch (1cm). Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.
Heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken to the pan and cook it for about 4-6 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 4-6 minutes until it becomes golden brown. Ensure the chicken is cooked through by checking its internal temperature. It should be at least 165°F (74°C).
Afterward, set the cooked chicken aside to rest for approximately 5 minutes. Once rested, cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Prepare the pasta and the romaine lettuce
Moving on to the pasta, cook it in salted water according to the package instructions. Drain the cooked pasta and rinse it under cold water.
To prepare the lettuce, cut the Romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Wash and dry it before assembling the salad.
How to prepare the Caesar dressing
In a medium bowl, place anchovy fillets, garlic, and a pinch of salt. Use two forks to turn the ingredients into a paste. Add mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice to the bowl and stir to combine.
Then, incorporate the egg yolk using a whisk. Gradually add the olive oil while continuously whisking the mixture. The dressing will start to thicken.
Finally, add Parmesan cheese to the dressing and whisk to combine. Season with salt and pepper according to taste.
Assemble the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad.
Place the lettuce, pasta, bread croutons, and chicken into a large bowl. Toss the ingredients with the dressing until they are well coated.
Finish off the salad by topping it with Parmesan shavings.
Whether enjoyed as a light lunch, a main course, or a side dish, the Chicken Pasta Caesar Salad is a versatile and satisfying meal that is sure to please.
Hope you will give this irresistible Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe a try and let the tantalizing flavors captivate your taste buds. If you do, make sure to share the photos with me on Instagram. Enjoy!
Other salads you may like to try
Impress your family and friends at summer gatherings with the incredibly flavorful Mediterranean Summer Pasta Salad. Bursting with fresh ingredients and tossed in a refreshing dressing, this crowd-pleasing salad is sure to satisfy everyone’s love for pasta.
Savor the taste of summer with our delightful Summer Corn Salad. Made with fresh corn, vegetables, Feta cheese, and a flavorful dressing, this salad is bursting with seasonal flavors. It’s the perfect side dish for family and friend gatherings, bringing a refreshing touch to your summer meals.
Indulge in the classic flavors of our Waldorf Salad. This timeless dish features crisp apples, crunchy celery, sweet grapes, and walnuts, all tossed in a creamy dressing. Whether enjoyed as a side or a light meal, this refreshing salad is a delightful addition to any gathering or everyday dining.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
Chicken, Avocado and Orange Salad
Duck Confit
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Viennese Potato Salad
Tabouli Salad
Healthy Chickpea Salad
Baked Stuffed Tomatoes with Bulgur and Feta
Celery Root Salad
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
Broccoli and Prosciutto Pasta
Pasta ai Quattro Formaggi
Oven Cooked Pulled Pork
Chicken Marsala
Spaghetti Pie
Chicken Fajitas
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Perfect Guacamole
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Bread croutons
- 2 tbsp (30g) olive oil
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 2 cups bread , cut into 3/4-inch (2cm) cubes
- 2 tbsp (10g) Parmesan cheese , grated
- salt and pepper to taste
For the chicken
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1 pound 450g) , pounded ½-ich (1cm) thin
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil , for cooking
Caesar dressing
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 anchovy fillets
- 1 tsp (5g) Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp (15ml) lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp (3g) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 cup (110g) extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp (10g) Parmesan cheese , grated
- salt and pepper to taste
For the salad
- 7 oz (200g) fusilli pasta
- 1 head Romaine lettuce, about 5-6 cups
- Parmesan cheese shavings
Instructions
First, prepare the bread croutons.
- Mix the oil in a bowl with garlic and set aside for a few minutes to infuse.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the bread into bite-size cubes, about ¾-inch (2cm) pieces.
- Sieve the oil into a large bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and mix to combine.
- Place the cubed bread into the bowl and toss to coat.
- Arrange the bread cubes on a baking sheet in a single layer and place in the oven.
- Bake for about 5 minutes, toss flip with a spatula and bake for another 5 minutes until golden brown.
Prepare the chicken.
- Pound the chicken breast to about ½-inch (1cm) even thickness. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat one tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the pan and cook for about 4-6 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook for another 4-6 minutes until golden brown. Check if the chicken is cooked through. If using a thermometer, it should be at least165°F (74°C).
- Set aside to rest for at least 5 minutes.
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Prepare the pasta and the Romaine lettuce.
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water.
- Cut the Romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Wash and dry before assembling the salad.
Prepare the Caesar dressing.
- Place the anchovy fillets, garlic and some salt into a medium bowl and use two forks to turn into a paste.
- Add the mustard, the Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice and stir to combine.
- Add the egg yolk and use a whisk to combine.
- Gradually incorporate the olive oil, while whisking continuously. The dressing will thicken.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and whisk to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Caesar pasta salad.
- Place the lettuce, pasta, bread croutons, and chicken into a large bowl. Toss with the dressing. Top with Parmesan shavings and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @homecookingadventure on Instagram and hashtag it #homecookingadventure.
Nice mix of vitamins and proteins. Easy to make it for summer days.