Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad: A Weeknight Favorite (Print Version)

Craving a delightful Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad? This recipe blends tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, tangy Caesar dressing for an easy meal.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta & Protein Base

01 - 8 oz (225g) short pasta (like rotini, penne, or fusilli)
02 - 2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded or diced

→ Fresh Greens & Crunch

03 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
04 - 1 cup croutons (for serving)

→ Creamy Caesar Dressing Essentials

05 - ½ cup mayonnaise (good quality, please!)
06 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best)
07 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
08 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
11 - ½ tsp anchovy paste (optional, but highly recommended for depth)
12 - ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly cracked

→ Finishing Touches

13 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get your pasta cooking! Bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil—and don't skimp on the salt, it's your only chance to season the pasta itself, honestly. Add your rotini or penne and cook according to package directions until it's perfectly al dente. I always set a timer because, let's be real, I'll forget otherwise! Once done, drain it well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down. We want cool pasta for this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, not warm, mushy bits.
02 - While the pasta is chilling out, get your other components ready. Shred or dice your rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces. I like a mix of both, honestly, some chunky, some stringy. Then, wash and chop your romaine lettuce. Make sure it's really dry—a salad spinner is your best friend here! Wet lettuce means a watery dressing, and nobody wants that in their Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. I've made that mistake, and the salad just felt... sad.
03 - Time for the magic! In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovy paste (if you're using it, and you should!). Season with a generous crack of black pepper. Whisk until it's smooth and creamy. Give it a taste; does it need more lemon? More pepper? This is where you make it *your* Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, so don't be shy!
04 - Now for the fun part! In a large bowl, combine your cooled pasta, the shredded chicken, and the chopped romaine lettuce. Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over everything. I always start with less because you can always add more, but you can't take it away! Gently toss it all together until everything is evenly coated. You want every piece of pasta and chicken to have a little hug of that creamy dressing.
05 - Once it's all mixed, cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This is a crucial step, honestly! It allows the flavors to meld and the pasta to really soak up all that Caesar goodness. I know it's tempting to dig right in, but trust me, the wait is worth it for a truly amazing Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. It also gets everything nice and cold, which is just delightful.
06 - Before serving your gorgeous Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, give it another quick toss. If it seems a little dry, add the remaining dressing a tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired creaminess. Top with a generous sprinkle of fresh croutons and maybe a little extra Parmesan. It should look vibrant, smell amazing, and taste like pure comfort. This is where all your hard work pays off, and it's so rewarding!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcook your pasta for this salad; al dente is key, trust me on this one. Nobody wants mushy pasta in their Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad.
02 - This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is even better the next day after the flavors meld, but I wouldn't go past 2-3 days in the fridge for peak freshness.
03 - Ran out of fresh lemon? A splash of apple cider vinegar can work in a pinch for that tang, I've done it when desperate!
04 - A sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives at the end really brightens up the whole Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, adding a nice pop of color and flavor.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large pot
02 - colander
03 - mixing bowls
04 - whisk
05 - measuring cups and spoons

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450-550
Total Fat: 30-40g
Total Carbohydrate: 35-45g
Protein: 25-35g

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