Description
A refreshing and hearty Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combining tender rotini pasta, juicy cooked chicken breast, crisp Romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and crunchy seasoned croutons, all tossed in a creamy homemade Caesar dressing made with light mayonnaise, sour cream, anchovy paste, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 lb cooked chicken breast, sliced or diced
- 3 large heads Romaine lettuce, rinsed, dried, and chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cup seasoned croutons
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Homemade Caesar Dressing
- 1 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons anchovy paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes depending on package instructions. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool and stop the cooking process.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large serving bowl, add the cooked and cooled pasta, sliced or diced cooked chicken breast, and sliced cherry tomatoes. Mix gently to combine. Place the bowl in the refrigerator to chill until ready to serve.
- Prepare the Caesar Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the light mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, lemon juice, anchovy paste, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Cover and chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Assemble the Salad: When ready to serve, add the chopped Romaine lettuce and seasoned croutons to the chilled pasta and chicken mixture. Pour the desired amount of the homemade Caesar dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Serve: Sprinkle the top of the salad with the remaining freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad!
Notes
- For best texture, rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to prevent sticking and cool it for the salad.
- You can use rotisserie chicken to save time or grilled chicken breast for extra flavor.
- Adjust the amount of dressing according to your preference for creaminess.
- Anchovy paste can be omitted for a milder dressing, but it adds authentic Caesar flavor.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; add croutons just before serving to keep them crunchy.
