Description
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad offers a delightful twist on the classic Caesar salad by combining tender rotini pasta, juicy cooked chicken breast, crisp romaine lettuce, fresh cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Tossed in creamy Caesar dressing and topped with grated Parmesan cheese and optional croutons, this salad is perfect for a quick, satisfying meal or a crowd-pleasing side dish. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an easy, flavorful recipe ideal for lunch, dinner, or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
Vegetables
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing and Toppings
- 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
- Boil Pasta: Fill a large pot with water, bring it to a rolling boil over high heat, and add a generous pinch of salt to season the water.
- Cook Pasta: Add the rotini pasta to the boiling water, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente.
- Drain and Cool: Drain the pasta using a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow it to drain completely to avoid excess water in the salad.
- Prepare Chicken: If using raw chicken, grill, bake, or sauté until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Season with salt and pepper for flavor.
- Rest and Cut Chicken: Let the cooked chicken rest for a few minutes. Then dice or shred it into bite-sized pieces suitable for the salad.
- Prepare Lettuce: Chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, wash thoroughly, and dry them well to maintain crispness.
- Prepare Tomatoes: Halve the cherry tomatoes for bite-sized portions.
- Prepare Cucumber: Peel the cucumber if desired, slice in half lengthwise, remove seeds, and dice into small pieces.
- Prepare Onion: Thinly slice the red onion. To reduce sharpness, soak it in cold water for 10 minutes if preferred, then drain.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta, cooked chicken, chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and sliced red onion.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the combined ingredients in the bowl.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the Caesar dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently until everything is well coated with the dressing.
- Season to Taste: Adjust seasoning by adding salt and pepper as needed, mixing gently to distribute.
- Add Croutons: Just before serving, sprinkle croutons on top to add a satisfying crunch (optional).
- Chill (Optional): Cover the salad and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld for an enhanced taste.
- Serve: Toss gently once more before serving and enjoy your fresh, flavorful Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad!
Notes
- Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute rotini pasta with gluten-free pasta.
- The salad can be made a few hours ahead; refrigerate well covered for best freshness.
- Customize the salad by adding avocado or olives for extra flavor.
- Use homemade Caesar dressing for a fresher taste and to control ingredients.
- Soaking red onion in cold water helps mellow its sharpness and improves salad balance.
