Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
A hearty and satisfying twist on classic Caesar salad, with tender chicken, crumbled beef, crunchy croutons, and creamy Caesar dressing mixed with pasta for extra protein.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
2 cups cooked rotini or your favorite pasta
2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
1 cup cooked beef, crumbled or chopped
1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup Caesar dressing
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup croutons (store-bought or homemade)
Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced chicken, cooked beef, chopped lettuce, and halved cherry tomatoes.
- Pour in the Caesar dressing and toss gently to coat all the ingredients.
- Add the shredded Parmesan cheese and croutons, tossing again until evenly mixed.
- Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Vegetarian version: Swap out the chicken for roasted chickpeas or tofu.
- Different pasta: Penne, fusilli, or farfalle will work for different textures.
- Spicy Caesar dressing: Opt for spicy dressing or add red pepper flakes for heat.
- Grilled chicken: For a smoky flavor, grill the chicken before adding it to the salad.
- To keep the croutons crispy, add them just before serving.
- Leftovers can be stored for up to 3 days in the fridge.
- To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta, dressing, and croutons.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Find it online: https://recipesbyjanet.com/chicken-caesar-pasta-salad/
