This post may contain affiliate links, please see the privacy policy for details.
This chunky chicken Caesar pasta salad has the perfect tangy, creamy, salty balance. It’s so quick to make and the perfect summer salad. Adding pasta to a classic Caesar is a good way to bulk it up, making it a little more satisfying. Try this recipe to use up leftover cooked pasta. This is probably the best chicken Caesar pasta salad recipe I’ve ever had.
Here’s a chicken Caesar pasta salad smothered in a creamy dressing that’s perfect for lunch or as a side dish.
Checking out summer salad recipes? This antipasto salad recipe is a must-try, and so is my Mediterranean quinoa salad – it’s loaded with healthy ingredients. Try this pretty roasted beet salad as the perfect salad for warmer days.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to make: With pre-cooked rotini pasta and shredded chicken, this Caesar salad comes together quickly. It’s an excellent option for busy weeknights or when preparing a meal ahead of time.
Versatile: Use this recipe as a base to customize. Add more veggies like cucumbers or bell peppers for extra crunch, or swap out the chicken for grilled shrimp or tofu for a vegetarian option.
Great for gatherings: It’s a crowd-pleaser that can easily be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
Balanced meal: Packed with protein from the chicken, vitamins from the romaine lettuce, and carbs from the pasta, this salad is a well-rounded meal that will keep you satisfied and energized.
Ingredients For Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Rotini pasta: Also known as fusilli pasta, it should be drained and cooled before adding to the salad. The rotini or fusilli spiral shape holds onto the dressing and other flavors well; other short pasta shapes like penne or farfalle are great, too.
Cooked chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cooked and shredded. Got leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken? This recipe is perfect.
Romaine lettuce: Fresh, crisp romaine lettuce adds a great crunch to the salad.
Cherry tomatoes: Cherry or grape tomatoes add sweetness and color to the salad.
Caesar croutons: These crunchy croutons add texture. You can make your own or use store-bought Caesar-flavored croutons. Keep some for garnishing just before serving.
Parmesan cheese: I recommend shredded parmesan cheese for best results.
Caesar dressing: Use your favorite creamy Caesar dressing, either store-bought or whip up some homemade Caesar dressing.
Greek seasoning: Look for a blend that includes ingredients like oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and maybe also lemon zest.
How to Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare rotini pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente doneness. It should be cooked, drained, and cooled.
Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, toss the pasta, chicken, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, 1 cup of the croutons, ¼ cup dressing, and Greek seasoning. Stir until well combined.
Finish off the salad: Transfer to a serving bowl and add the remaining croutons and Caesar dressing.
Substitutions and Variations
Vegetarian: Swap the chicken for grilled tofu or chickpeas as an alternative protein.
Gluten-free: Use gluten-free rotini pasta and ensure that the Caesar dressing and croutons are also gluten-free.
Vegan twist: Make this salad vegan-friendly by using a dairy-free Caesar dressing and skipping the Parmesan cheese. Use vegan parmesan cheese alternatives.
Different greens: While romaine lettuce is traditional, try other greens like kale, spinach, or arugula.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizer: Enjoy this chicken pasta salad at the start of an Italian-style menu.
Main: Follow with lasagna al forno or this showstopper: stuffed rigatoni pasta pie. My ricotta beef stuffed shells are another classic Italian option.
Dessert: Why not end with lemon ricotta cookies and a chilled shot of Italian limoncello?
How to Store Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Store: The salad can be kept in the fridge for 2 days in an airtight container with the dressing. To keep the ingredients for up to 4 days, store the dressing and salad ingredients separately.
Freeze: This recipe is not suitable for freezing.
Top Tips
Don’t overcook the pasta: Al dente doneness is best for pasta when making a pasta salad. Cook it according to package directions and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Drain well before mixing.
Keep the croutons crisp: Stir in half the croutons and dressing. The croutons in the salad will get a bit soft, so keep some dry, crunchy ones for the top.
Balance the flavors: If the ingredients taste a little too rich, add some freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Season the chicken: Taste it before adding it to the Caesar salad. It should be well seasoned, so add a little salt and pepper if needed.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad FAQs
Yes, you can assemble the salad up to a few hours in advance, but to keep it fresh, it’s best to add the dressing just before serving.
If Greek seasoning is unavailable, try using Italian seasoning or a mix of dried oregano, basil, and garlic powder.
You can shred the chicken using two forks, or for a quicker method, use a hand mixer on low speed.
You can skip or reduce the amount of croutons for a lower-carb option while enjoying the flavors.
Boost the protein content by adding grilled shrimp, chickpeas, or extra shredded chicken to make the salad more satisfying.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces rotini pasta
- 2 Cups chicken, cooked, shredded
- 2 Cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 Cups cherry tomatoes
- 2 Cups croutons
- 1 Cup parmesan cheese, shaved or shredded
- ½ Cup Caesar dressing
- 1 Tablespoon Greek seasoning
Instructions
- Prepare rotini pasta according to the package directions for al dente doneness. (Cook, drain and cool).
- In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, chicken, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, 1 cup of the croutons, ¼ cup dressing and Greek seasoning. Stir until well combined.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and add the remaining croutons and Caesar dressing on top.
Notes
Keep the croutons crisp: Stir in half the croutons and dressing. The croutons in the salad will get a bit soft, so keep some dry, crunchy ones for the top.
Balance the flavors: If the ingredients taste a little too rich, add some freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Season the chicken: Taste it before adding it to the Caesar salad. It should be well seasoned, so add a little salt and pepper if needed.
Nutrition
This chicken Caesar pasta salad is light and yet ultra-creamy. It features all the classic Caesar flavors and textures with the added bonus of cooked pasta. Try this as a delicious comfort food for lunch, as a side dish, as an appetizer, or as a potluck dish – the freshly grated parmesan cheese, along with the Greek seasoning, adds plenty of flavor to the salad. As far as pasta salad recipes are concerned, this one is incredible.
Other Chicken Recipes To Try
- Chicken braised in white wine is a twist on a classic French dish and is a must-try as a cozy main.
- Whip up a batch of delicious slow cooker lemonade chicken that kids will go crazy for.
- Sheet pan drumsticks are easy, low-fuss, and tender to their core.
- This one-pot chicken rice dish has a great texture and is hearty.
- Crockpot cashew chicken is delicious with fall-apart chicken with a burst of green snap peas
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I will never get tired of making this. It never fails!