Description
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad has all the bold, savory flavors caesar dressing brings, with the heartiness of a pasta salad.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds of thinly sliced chicken breasts
- ¼ cup creamy caesar salad dressing
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
For the Salad:
- 8 oz farfalle pasta, or pasta of choice
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce, about 4 cups chopped
- ¾ cup creamy caesar salad dressing, plus more for leftovers
- ¼ cup shaved parmigiano reggiano
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 cup whole croutons, crushed
Instructions
For the Chicken:
- In a large zip-top bag or leak-proof container, combine 1½ pounds of thinly sliced chicken breasts, ¼ cup creamy Caesar dressing, and 2 tablespoons avocado oil. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Cook the chicken on a grill, grill pan, or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes, then chop into bite-sized pieces. If serving as a composed salad, cut in slices to top the salad.
For the Salad:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt the water. Cook the pasta according to package directions until fully tender, not al dente, since it’s for a pasta salad. Drain and let cool, or refrigerate while prepping the rest of the salad.
- Place 1 cup of croutons in a zip-top bag and lightly crush them with the back of a metal spoon or rolling pin.
- Chop 1 large head of romaine (about 4 cups) into bite sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, ¾ cup creamy Caesar dressing, ¼ cup shaved Parmigiano Reggiano, and freshly cracked black pepper. Mix well to evenly coat.
- Stir in chopped chicken if you prefer it mixed throughout the salad. Or plate the salad and top with sliced chicken.
- If serving immediately, add in the chopped romaine and croutons. If preparing ahead, wait to add the lettuce and croutons until just before serving to keep them crisp.
Notes
I like to slice the chicken and serve it on top of the pasta salad if serving as a main meal.
Add a sprinkle of extra parmigiano reggiano and black pepper when you plate it!
As it sits in the fridge, the pasta will absorb the dressing, have some extra on hand when eating it after refrigerating.
It will last for 3-4 days in the fridge. The lettuce and croutons will lose their crunch – keep them on the side and mix into each serving to keep it fresh and crispy.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Mains
- Method: Grill