Description
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines classic Italian-American flavors in a delightful cold dish perfect for summer gatherings. Crisp romaine, tender chicken, parmesan cheese, and homemade Caesar dressing create a refreshing meal that invites you to savor each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
- 8 ounces (225 grams) rotini pasta
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
Vegetable Ingredients:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
Seasoning and Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 cup caesar dressing
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup croutons
Instructions
- Prepare the rotini pasta in a pot of salted, boiling water until it reaches the perfect al dente texture, approximately 8-10 minutes, then thoroughly drain and rinse under cold running water to halt the cooking process and cool the pasta quickly.
- While the pasta chills, dice the cooked chicken into uniform bite-sized cubes, ensuring consistent pieces for even distribution throughout the salad.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, precisely cut chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced cucumber, and finely chopped red onion to create a vibrant base for the salad.
- Generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the mixture, then drizzle with creamy Caesar dressing, using tongs or a large spoon to toss and coat all ingredients thoroughly and evenly.
- Carefully incorporate crisp, chopped romaine lettuce, gently folding to prevent bruising the delicate leaves while ensuring they are well integrated with the other ingredients.
- Just before serving, scatter crunchy croutons across the top of the salad to preserve their satisfying texture and prevent sogginess.
- For optimal flavor and texture, serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours, allowing the ingredients to marinate and develop a more intense taste profile.
Notes
- Chill pasta thoroughly to prevent soggy texture and maintain ideal pasta consistency.
- Dice chicken when completely cooled to prevent wilting delicate lettuce leaves.
- Prepare vegetables in uniform bite-sized pieces for balanced flavor and easy eating.
- Toss salad gently to prevent breaking fragile ingredients and maintain fresh appearance.
- Store dressing separately if planning to keep salad longer than 2 hours to preserve crispness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 720 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 2200mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 50g
- Cholesterol: 110mg