Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a complete meal in one bowl! Perfect for summer or meal prep.

Tender pasta, chicken, croutons, bacon, and romaine lettuce are all tossed in a quick and creamy Caesar dressing.

Serve with lemon wedge for a new family favorite.

This is a full meal in just one bowl and it’s crazy good!
It’s perfect for meal prep, as a summer dinner, or for lunch.
Adding pasta turns a chicken Caesar salad into a hearty meal that will keep you satisfied.
The dressing is super delicious and easy to make.
Skip the chicken to serve as a side dish or swap it for grilled shrimp to change it up.

parmesan , oil , pasta , lettuce , croutons , chicken , bacon , dressing with labels to make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

What You’ll Need For Caesar Pasta Salad

Lettuce: I use romaine lettuce for this recipe, but you can also use chopped kale. You’ll need a sturdy lettuce that can hold up to the dressing and the pasta so a greens mix is not the best option.

Pasta: Choose a medium shaped pasta with curves or holes to grab the dressing. Penne, fusilli, bowtie, and rotini pasta are all great options.

Chicken: I like using chicken breasts or thighs in this recipe and adding cajun seasoning for extra flavor.

Dressing: This easy dressing is made with ingredients likely already in the fridge. Worcestershire sauce has lots of flavor, if possible, fresh lemon is recommended for the flavors of a traditional Caesar salad dressing.

Croutons: You can buy croutons but I like to make my own, they’re so easy!

Variations: Bacon, shredded cheddar, sliced kalamata olives, or sundried tomatoes.

Short on time? I’ve got you covered!

Use rotisserie chicken or any leftover cooked chicken.
Replace the homemade dressing with a purchased bottle of Caesar dressing to make it extra quick.
Skip the washing and chopping altogether and use a Caesar salad kit from the store. Add extra dressing if needed—a squeeze of fresh lemon makes it taste fresh and homemade!
Use real bacon bits in place of bacon. If using bacon bits, I microwave them for a few minutes to make them crisp.

Do you HAVE to add anchovy paste?

NOPE! If it’s not your jam, skip the anchovy or add some chopped or slightly mashed capers in place.

But I do recommend giving it a try! It adds a unique umami to the recipe and lasts a long time. I don’t love anything really ‘fishy,’ so I just add a little. It does add a special flavor to the dressing!

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad ingredients in a bowl with a bowl of dressing and parmesan

How to Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

This Caesar pasta salad is a full meal deal.

Make Caesar dressing and refrigerate (recipe below).
Cook noodles to al dente. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
Season and grill chicken breasts. Once cool, chop or slice as desired.
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss with dressing. Serve immediately.

More Caesar Salad Inspiration

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plated Caesar Pasta Salad with lemon slices

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This chicken Caesar pasta salad is loaded with the creamy richness of Caesar salad combined with juicy chicken and soft pasta.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Author Holly Nilsson

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To make the dressing, in a medium bowl, whisk mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Parmesan, lemon juice, garlic, anchovy paste, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate.
To make the salad, cook the pasta al dente in salted water according to the package directions. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop it from cooking.
Preheat the grill to medium heat.
Pound the chicken breasts to ½-inch thick. Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil and season with cajun seasoning or salt and pepper taste.
Grill over medium heat 5-6 minutes per side or until juices run clear and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Cool completely and then chop into bite size picess.
In a large salad bowl, combine pasta, chicken, romaine, croutons, parmesan cheese, and bacon. Add the dressing a bit at a time and toss well to coat, you may not need all of the dressing.
Serve immediately lemon wedges.

To make ahead, combine all ingredients in the salad bowl except for the romaine lettuce. Dress the pasta salad generously, as the pasta will absorb the dressing as it rests. Toss in the lettuce before serving.
Dressing:

Prepare the dressing first so the flavors can blend. I often double the dressing to have Caesar salad later in the week too.
Homemade dressing can be replaced with bottled dressing.

To make this meal a side dish, leave out the chicken.

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Main Course, Pasta, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

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