Description
A delightful twist on the classic Caesar salad, this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, crisp Romaine lettuce, and a creamy Caesar dressing, topped with garlic breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, seasoned with salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Salad:
- 1 pound uncooked pasta (such as farfalle)
- 3 Romaine lettuce hearts (about 12 ounces), roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups Caesar dressing
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- Fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep the pasta water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the garlic breadcrumbs: Melt butter in a sauté pan, add garlic, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Sauté until golden, then set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Season and cook chicken in a pan until done. Rest, then slice into pieces.
- Cook the pasta: Boil pasta until al dente, then chill.
- Toss the pasta salad: Combine pasta, lettuce, chicken, and Caesar dressing in a bowl. Toss gently.
- Serve: Garnish with garlic breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Notes
- This salad can be customized with additional toppings like cherry tomatoes, croutons, or grilled vegetables.
- For a vegetarian option, you can substitute grilled tofu or chickpeas for the chicken.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, Caesar Salad, Pasta Salad, Chicken Recipe, Main Dish
