Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
A vibrant, crowd-pleasing chicken Caesar pasta salad that balances al dente bowtie pasta with crisp romaine, shredded rotisserie chicken, and a tangy homemade Caesar dressing, finished with toasted garlic panko breadcrumbs and shaved parmesan for extra crunch and depth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes (pasta) + 5 minutes (toasting breadcrumbs)
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Pasta
- 2 1/2 cups bowtie pasta (or your favorite pasta, cooked al dente)
Vegetables
- 2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
Protein
- 2 1/2 cups rotisserie chicken, torn (preferably white meat)
Dressing
- 1/3 cup Classic Homemade Caesar Dressing (or more to taste)
Toppings
- 1 cup Toasted Garlic Breadcrumbs (Panko)
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Instructions
- Boil Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 11–12 minutes, or as directed on the package. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside.
- Cool Pasta
Rinse the cooked pasta thoroughly with cold water and drain completely. This helps keep the salad from getting mushy and chills the pasta for better texture in the finished dish.
- Toast Breadcrumbs
In a small pan over medium heat, toast the garlic panko breadcrumbs until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Make Dressing
Prepare or whisk together your Classic Homemade Caesar Dressing until smooth and glossy. Adjust thickness with a splash of water or additional dressing as needed.
- Chop Lettuce
Wash and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place in a large serving bowl.
- Shred Chicken
Shred or tear the rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces, discarding bones as needed. You can use breast meat for a leaner mix.
- Assemble
Add the cooled pasta, shredded chicken, chopped romaine, toasted breadcrumbs, and grated parmesan to the bowl. Pour the Caesar dressing over the top and toss to coat evenly.
- Toss and Serve
Toss thoroughly to combine, then serve immediately. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Notes
- For extra Caesar flavor, add a few anchovy fillets minced into the dressing.
- If you prefer a lighter salad, reduce the breadcrumbs or use seasoned croutons.
- To make this ahead, keep the dressing separate and toss with pasta and greens just before serving.
Keywords: pasta salad, chicken caesar, romaine, garlic breadcrumbs, parmesan, rotisserie chicken, al dente pasta, easy salad
Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/chicken-caesar-pasta-salad-recipe/
