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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar pasta salad with grilled chicken, romaine, and Parmesan tossed in creamy Caesar dressing. Penne or rotini is cooled quickly and chilled so every bite is crisp, tangy, and well coated.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
chilling 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

penne or rotini pasta
  • 1 lb penne or rotini pasta Cook until al dente, then chill-rinse with cold water.
grilled chicken breast
  • 2 cup grilled chicken breast, diced Use diced grilled breast for the best chewy-tender texture.
romaine lettuce
  • 4 cup romaine lettuce, chopped Chop romaine so it holds up after chilling.
caesar dressing
  • 1 cup Caesar dressing Creamy dressing keeps the pasta salad cohesive.
parmesan cheese
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Grate fresh for stronger flavor and better sprinkle coverage.
croutons
  • 1 cup croutons Add right before serving to keep them crunchy.
cherry tomatoes
  • 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes, halved Halved tomatoes add bright bursts and color.
salt and pepper
  • 1 Salt and pepper to taste Season after coating; add more if needed.
lemon wedges
  • 1 Lemon wedges for serving Serve on the side to brighten each forkful.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Cook and cool the pasta
  1. Cook the penne or rotini pasta according to package directions, then drain it and rinse with cold water until cooled down.
  2. Spread the cooled pasta on a sheet pan in an even layer to help it stay separated while you prep the rest.
Build the salad
  1. Combine the cooled pasta, diced grilled chicken, chopped romaine, and halved cherry tomatoes in a large bowl.
  2. Add the Caesar dressing and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
  3. Sprinkle over the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper, then toss again to distribute.
Chill for best texture
  1. Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour, covered, until well chilled and flavors meld.
Serve
  1. Top the chilled pasta salad with the croutons just before serving to keep them crisp.
  2. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

Pro tip: Rinse the pasta with cold water right after draining to stop cooking and prevent clumping, then chill before adding croutons. Refrigerate leftovers in a sealed container up to 3 days; freeze is not recommended because lettuce texture softens. For a lighter option, use light Caesar dressing while keeping the Parmesan and chicken portions the same.