Description
Indulge in the delightful fusion of flavors with this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. Tender rotini pasta mingles with juicy grilled chicken, crisp romaine lettuce, and creamy Caesar dressing, all topped with crunchy croutons and a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan. This vibrant dish is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or family dinners, offering a satisfying meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 8 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup Caesar dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup croutons
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- 1. **Cook the Chicken**: Preheat your grill or skillet over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Let cool before chopping.
- 2. **Prepare the Pasta**: In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente (approximately 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- 3. **Chop the Romaine**: While the pasta cools, chop fresh romaine into bite-sized pieces.
- 4. **Combine Ingredients**: In a large bowl, mix together pasta, chopped romaine, diced chicken, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing until evenly coated.
- 5. **Add Flavor Boosters**: Squeeze lemon juice over the salad and add freshly cracked black pepper for extra flavor.
- 6. **Serve**: Chill for about 15 minutes to meld flavors before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Grilling/Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg