Description
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines rotini pasta, tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and creamy Caesar dressing for a light and satisfying meal. Ideal for lunch or as a side dish, it’s both refreshing and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces of rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: croutons for topping
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Add a generous pinch of salt.
- Add the rotini pasta to the boiling water. Stir occasionally and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it sit to drain completely.
- If using raw chicken, grill, bake, or sauté until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Season with salt and pepper.
- Let the cooked chicken rest for a few minutes, then dice or shred it into bite-sized pieces.
- Chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, wash, and dry thoroughly.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Peel (if desired), slice in half lengthwise, remove seeds, and dice the cucumber.
- Thinly slice the red onion. Soak in cold water for 10 minutes if you prefer a milder flavor.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta, cooked chicken, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the salad.
- Pour Caesar dressing over the salad and toss gently until well coated.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Sprinkle croutons on top just before serving for added crunch.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to meld flavors (optional).
- Toss gently before serving and enjoy your Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad!
Notes
- For a homemade Caesar dressing, consider using ingredients like garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and olive oil.
- Feel free to customize the salad with additional vegetables or proteins as desired.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, keeping croutons separate to maintain their crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes