Description
This robust Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines tender grilled chicken, al dente rotini, and crisp romaine lettuce in a creamy dressing. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing gathering, it balances savory, creamy, and crunchy textures in every bite. This hearty main course is easy to prepare and ideal for meal prepping, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully for a restaurant-quality dining experience at home.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
8 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup alcohol-free Caesar dressing
1 cup garlic croutons
Salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs to taste
Instructions
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until al dente.
Drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and remove excess starch.
Season chicken with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs.
Grill chicken over medium-high heat until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Slice the cooked chicken into strips or bite-sized cubes.
Combine cooled pasta, chopped romaine, and sliced chicken in a large mixing bowl.
Pour the Caesar dressing over the mixture and toss gently until well coated.
Fold in half of the shredded Parmesan and garnish with croutons before serving.
Notes
Use rotini or farfalle to better hold the dressing. Ensure the Caesar dressing is certified alcohol-free as some commercial brands contain trace fermentation elements. Store dressing separately if making in advance to keep the lettuce crisp.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Grilling and Boiling
- Cuisine: American-Italian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg