Description
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a delicious and satisfying dish perfect for a light lunch or dinner. With tender pasta, flavorful chicken, crisp veggies, and a creamy Caesar dressing, this salad is sure to become a favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 8 ounces rotini or penne pasta
Chicken:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped or shredded
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
Mayonnaise (optional for creaminess):
- 1/4 cup
Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Veggies:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
Cheese & Toppings:
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup croutons
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix pasta, chicken, Caesar dressing, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.
- Add Veggies: Gently fold in tomatoes, lettuce, and Parmesan cheese.
- Top & Serve: Before serving, add croutons and parsley. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Grilled or rotisserie chicken adds extra flavor.
- Salad can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days, adding lettuce and croutons just before serving.
- Whole wheat or gluten-free pasta can be used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
