Description
Summer gatherings shine with this mouthwatering Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad that blends crisp romaine, tender chicken, and zesty dressing. Creamy parmesan and crunchy croutons complete this crowd-pleasing dish you’ll want to serve again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Proteins:
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or chopped chicken breasts
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) uncooked pasta, such as rotini or penne
- 2 hearts of Romaine lettuce
Dressing Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- Croutons (optional)
- Additional Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Craft a zesty dressing by vigorously whisking Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, minced garlic, and anchovy paste in a medium bowl until smooth and well-integrated.
- Incorporate finely grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper into the dressing, stirring thoroughly to create a rich, flavorful base. Set aside momentarily.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook for approximately 8-10 minutes until achieving al dente texture. Drain pasta and transfer to a spacious serving bowl, allowing it to cool slightly.
- While pasta cools, meticulously chop Romaine hearts into uniform bite-sized pieces, roughly one inch in length. Shred or dice chicken into bite-sized morsels, ensuring consistent sizing.
- Gently fold the prepared chicken and chopped Romaine into the cooled pasta, creating an even distribution of ingredients throughout the salad.
- Drizzle the prepared Parmesan-infused dressing over the pasta mixture, tossing carefully to ensure every ingredient is thoroughly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Enhance the salad’s texture by sprinkling crisp croutons across the top. Finish with an additional generous dusting of grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor complexity.
- Serve immediately for optimal freshness, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld together. Recommend consuming within the same day for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Customize the dressing’s tanginess by adjusting lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce amounts to suit personal taste preferences.
- Swap rotisserie chicken with grilled, baked, or plant-based protein alternatives for dietary flexibility.
- Enhance pasta texture by rinsing with cold water after cooking to prevent clumping and maintain a refreshing temperature.
- Prepare components separately and assemble just before serving to maintain crisp lettuce and prevent soggy pasta.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg