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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 558 reviews

A refreshing and hearty Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad featuring tender seasoned chicken breast, perfectly cooked penne pasta, crunchy croutons, crisp romaine lettuce, and a creamy Caesar dressing, all tossed together with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. This dish is perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 whole chicken breasts (skinless, boneless)
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ¾ tsp ground pepper
  • ¾ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Pasta Salad

  • 8 oz. dry penne pasta
  • 1½ cup croutons
  • 3 cups romaine lettuce (chopped)
  • ¾ cup Caesar dressing
  • ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

Instructions

  1. Season the Chicken: In a bowl, season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, garlic powder, and pepper to enhance the flavor.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear them on both sides until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and let it cool.
  3. Cube the Chicken: After the chicken has cooled, cut it into bite-sized cubes and set aside for mixing.
  4. Prepare the Pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions, typically boiling until al dente. Drain and allow the pasta to cool down to room temperature.
  5. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large salad mixing bowl, combine the cubed chicken, cooked penne pasta, croutons, chopped romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together gently but thoroughly until well mixed.
  6. Serve: Transfer the chicken Caesar pasta salad to a serving bowl and serve immediately for the best freshness and texture.

Notes

  • Ensure the pasta is cooled before mixing with dressing to prevent wilting the lettuce.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a richer flavor.
  • Feel free to add freshly ground black pepper or lemon zest for an extra zing.
  • This salad can be refrigerated for up to 1 day, but croutons should be added just before serving to maintain their crunch.

Keywords: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, chicken pasta salad, easy pasta salad recipe, Caesar salad with chicken, quick lunch salad

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/chicken-caesar-pasta-salad-recipe/