Description

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines tender rotini pasta, seasoned cooked chicken breast, crisp Romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy croutons, all tossed in a creamy homemade Caesar dressing. Perfect for a refreshing and satisfying meal, this salad blends classic Caesar flavors with the heartiness of pasta, making it an ideal dish for lunch, dinner, or a potluck.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

12 ounces rotini pasta
1 lb. cooked chicken breast, sliced or diced (seasoned with lemon-pepper seasoning)
3 large heads Romaine lettuce (rinsed, dried, and chopped)
1 cup cherry tomatoes (sliced)
1 cup seasoned croutons
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Homemade Caesar Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
2 cloves garlic (minced)
Juice of 1 lemon
2 teaspoons anchovy paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool and stop the cooking process.
Prepare the Salad Base: In a large serving bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sliced or diced cooked chicken breast seasoned with lemon-pepper seasoning, and sliced cherry tomatoes. Chill this mixture until you are ready to assemble the salad.
Make the Caesar Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, lemon juice, anchovy paste, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. Cover and refrigerate the dressing until ready to use.
Assemble and Serve: Just before serving, add the chopped Romaine lettuce and seasoned croutons to the chilled pasta and chicken mixture. Pour in the desired amount of prepared Caesar dressing and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Top the salad with additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Make sure to cool the pasta completely before combining with dressing to prevent wilting the lettuce.
The dressing can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
For extra flavor, grill the chicken breast before slicing.
Adjust the amount of anchovy paste based on your preference for authenticity in Caesar dressing.
This salad is best served the same day but can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours.