Description
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad offers a refreshing and hearty twist on the classic Caesar salad by incorporating tender rotini pasta and juicy cooked chicken breast. Tossed with crisp romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Parmesan cheese, and creamy Caesar dressing, it’s a perfect dish for a quick lunch or light dinner that combines familiar flavors in a satisfying salad format.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Croutons for topping
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the rotini pasta and stir occasionally.
- Cook Pasta Until Al Dente: Follow the package instructions to cook the pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Avoid overcooking for best texture.
- Drain and Cool Pasta: Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to halt cooking. Let it drain completely.
- Cook the Chicken (If Raw): If using raw chicken breasts, cook by grilling, baking, or sautéing until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Season with salt and pepper as desired.
- Prepare Chicken for Salad: Let the chicken rest briefly after cooking, then dice or shred into bite-sized pieces for easy mixing.
- Prep the Vegetables: Chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, wash and dry thoroughly. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Peel (if desired), seed, and dice the cucumber. Thinly slice the red onion; soak in cold water for 10 minutes if a milder onion flavor is preferred.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooled rotini pasta, cooked chicken, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the salad.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the Caesar dressing over the mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients well.
- Season and Adjust: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Add Optional Crunch: Just before serving, sprinkle croutons on top for added texture and crunch.
- Chill for Best Flavor: Optionally cover and refrigerate the salad for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve and Enjoy: Give the salad a gentle toss after chilling and serve immediately for a fresh, delicious meal.
Notes
- Be sure to rinse the pasta in cold water after cooking to prevent it from sticking and to cool it quickly for the salad.
- If you prefer, use rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken to save time.
- Soaking red onions in cold water reduces their sharpness for milder flavor.
- Feel free to customize the salad by adding ingredients such as bacon bits or olives for extra flavor.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the pasta with gluten-free rotini.
- This salad is best served chilled but can be enjoyed at room temperature if preferred.
