Description
A quick and refreshing Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combining tender pasta, shredded rotisserie chicken, crisp Romaine hearts, and a creamy homemade Caesar dressing made from Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, anchovy paste, mayonnaise, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a satisfying 20-minute meal in a bowl.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 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
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Main Salad
- 8 oz. uncooked pasta, such as rotini or penne
- 2 hearts of Romaine lettuce, chopped
- Shredded rotisserie chicken or chopped chicken breasts (about 2 cups)
- Croutons (optional)
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the uncooked pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta for the salad.
- Prepare the Dressing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, minced garlic, anchovy paste, and finely grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Salad Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped Romaine lettuce, and shredded rotisserie or cooked chicken. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is thoroughly coated.
- Serve and Garnish. Transfer the pasta salad to a serving dish or individual bowls. Top with optional croutons and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for extra texture and flavor. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes for a cooler salad.
Notes
- Whip up a 20-minute meal in a bowl with this simple and flavorful Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad featuring a DIY Caesar dressing.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a convenient shortcut or cook and shred your own chicken breasts.
- Adding croutons is optional but adds a nice crunch.
- The salad is best eaten fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 277 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 231 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 39 mg