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Delicious Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad with fresh ingredients in a bowl

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A hearty twist on the classic Caesar, this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad features tender rotini, juicy chicken, crunchy Romaine, and creamy Caesar dressing, perfect for potlucks and picnics.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Base Ingredients
  • 8 oz rotini pasta (or other short pasta like penne or fusilli) Choose a shape that holds dressing well; rotini’s twists catch the sauce.
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, diced (rotisserie or baked chicken work great) Warm roasted chicken adds flavor, but cold leftover chicken is perfectly fine.
  • 1 cup Romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/2 cup Caesar dressing (store-bought or homemade) Use a good-quality dressing if short on time; homemade gives a brighter flavor.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Use freshly grated Parmesan for a cleaner, nuttier flavor.
  • 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • to taste Salt and freshly cracked black pepper Taste before salting; both Parmesan and Caesar dressing are salty.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the rotini according to package directions until al dente, usually about 8 to 10 minutes.
  2. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it quickly. If you’re not serving right away, toss the pasta with a teaspoon of olive oil to prevent sticking.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced chicken, chopped Romaine, halved cherry tomatoes, grated Parmesan, and Caesar dressing.
  4. Gently fold the ingredients together until everything is evenly coated, using a folding motion to avoid bruising the lettuce.
  5. Taste and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper as needed. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes so the flavors meld.
  6. Serve chilled as a main dish or alongside grilled vegetables and crusty bread.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 35gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 900mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days. Keep in mind the Romaine will soften over time; add extra chopped lettuce just before serving if you want more crunch. This salad does not freeze well.

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