Description
Elevate your summer gatherings with Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, a delightful Mediterranean-inspired dish blending crisp romaine, tender chicken, and zesty parmesan. Creamy dressing and crunchy croutons complete this crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave at every potluck.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound pasta, cooked and chilled
- 2 cups cooked and cooled chopped chicken
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
Garnishes and Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 1 bag (5 ounces) croutons
- 1 can sliced olives (optional)
Cheese, Dressing, and Seasonings:
- 11/2 cups shredded parmesan cheese
- 11/2 cups cooked and crumbled bacon
- 1 bottle (16 ounces) caesar dressing
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process.
- Dice cooked chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces, ensuring even distribution throughout the salad.
- Chop Romaine lettuce into crisp, manageable strips, maintaining a fresh and crunchy texture.
- Thinly slice red onion to provide a sharp, tangy accent to the salad’s flavor profile.
- Crumble bacon into small, delicate pieces to enhance the overall savory dimension.
- Combine pasta, chicken, lettuce, onion, croutons, olives, Parmesan cheese, and bacon in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Drizzle Caesar dressing generously over the ingredients, using tongs or a large spoon to coat every element thoroughly.
- Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper to elevate the taste and add a subtle heat.
- Gently toss all components until each ingredient is evenly distributed and coated with dressing.
- Cover and refrigerate for 60-90 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before serving chilled.
Notes
- Swap regular pasta for whole wheat or gluten-free options to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.
- Grill or roast chicken instead of using pre-cooked to enhance the depth of flavor and add a smoky dimension to the salad.
- Prepare the salad a day ahead to intensify the Caesar dressing’s rich, tangy notes and allow ingredients to marinate thoroughly.
- Create a lighter version by using Greek yogurt-based Caesar dressing and reducing the amount of bacon for a healthier alternative.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 630 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg