Description

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a delightful and hearty twist on the classic Caesar salad, combining tender cooked chicken breast, whole wheat fusilli pasta, crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy croutons, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Tossed with a creamy homemade Caesar dressing, this salad is perfect for a quick lunch, picnic, or light dinner, offering a balanced mix of flavors and textures in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Pasta and Salad

8 ounces whole wheat fusilli pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)
1 romaine lettuce heart, chopped (about 8 ounces)
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
¾ cup croutons
⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Protein

12 ounces cooked chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

Dressing

1 batch Homemade Caesar Dressing (see recipe below or prepared store-bought)

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Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat fusilli pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside to fully cool.
Prepare Chicken: Cook the chicken breast using your preferred method—this can be in an Instant Pot, slow cooker, or oven. Ensure the chicken is cooked through, then cut into bite-sized pieces suitable for salad.
Make Caesar Dressing: Prepare a fresh batch of homemade Caesar dressing if you do not have pre-made dressing ready. This dressing typically includes ingredients like garlic, anchovies, egg yolks, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese blended until creamy.
Assemble Salad: In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked chicken pieces, chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, croutons, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Mix gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
Dress and Serve: Drizzle the prepared Caesar dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients uniformly. Serve the pasta salad chilled or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.

Notes

If you prefer a lighter version, use grilled chicken breast and a low-fat Caesar dressing.
The salad can be prepared in advance and kept refrigerated for up to 24 hours; add croutons just before serving to retain their crunch.
To make the salad vegetarian, omit the chicken and use a vegetarian Caesar dressing.
You can substitute whole wheat pasta with gluten-free pasta if needed.
For extra flavor, garnish with freshly cracked black pepper or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley.