Dear Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, it’s time for your debut! This simple but splendid recipe has been my faithful barbecue, potluck, and easy lunch companion since the first summer we arrived in Wisconsin.
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Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
- A Tried-and-True Fave. Ben’s parents live on a lake and through the years, weekends there have become one of my most valuable recipe testing grounds (e.g. this BLT Pasta Salad). This tasty chicken Caesar pasta salad with its flavorful combination of ingredients and pleasing contrast of textures? OFF THE CHARTS!
- Everything You Love (Plus Pasta!). This crowd-approved side combines the key ingredients of chicken caesar salad—juicy chicken, crunchy greens, crispy croutons, salty Parmesan, and creamy Caesar dressing—with whole wheat pasta and fresh cherry tomatoes to create a dish that’s tailor-made for lazy weekend days and quick weeknight dinners.
- Quick and Easy to Make. Use leftover chicken (or grab a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store) and all you need to do is boil the pasta, chop the veggies, and mix up the creamy Caesar dressing. This pasta salad is practically effortless!
5 Star Review
“I made this for healthy lunches this week and I LOVE it. Thanks for a recipe that makes me look forward to mealtime!”
— Audra —
How to Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
The Ingredients
- Whole Wheat Pasta. If you’re new to the whole wheat pasta scene, look for a high-quality option that won’t be heavy, mushy, or “wheaty,” once cooked al dente. (I like DeLallo.)
- Chicken. Any leftover cooked chicken breasts (like Air Fryer Chicken Breast) will work for this easy pasta salad recipe. You can also use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the store.
- Romaine Lettuce. Traditional and hearty enough to stand up to the other ingredients and maintain its texture. I’ve also done this recipe as a kale chicken caesar pasta salad and a caesar pasta salad with spinach.
- Cherry Tomatoes. Bright, delicious little bursts of flavor! Plus, the red color is beautiful in the bowl.
- Croutons. For a bit of crunch and added texture.
- Parmesan. Nutty, cheesy, and perfectly suited for Caesar dressing (like in this Chicken Caesar Wrap).
- Dressing. I love using my delicious Homemade Caesar Dressing!
Directions
- Cook the Pasta. Boil, drain, and rinse the pasta. Transfer into a large serving bowl.
- Cook the Chicken. If necessary, cook the chicken and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the Dressing. Whip up the dressing (unless you already have some on hand).
- Finish. Toss the dressing with the remaining ingredients, the cooked pasta, and chicken until evenly coated. ENJOY!
What to Serve with Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Grilled Meats. Pasta salads always make me think of cookouts, and cookouts mean: meat! You can’t go wrong with these Turkey Burgers, but Grilled Chicken Thighs and Grilled Pork Chops are always winners too.
- Potluck Party Favorites. You know the ones! Vegetable Pizza on crescent roll crust, 7 Layer Taco Dip, and of course Hashbrown Casserole.
- Deli-Style Salads. I usually put together several options for backyard parties. Italian Pasta Salad, 7 Layer Salad, Healthy Potato Salad, and Chicken Pasta Salad are all faves with our families.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Cooking the Chicken: You Have Options! To cook the chicken in the Instant Pot, see this post for Instant Pot Chicken. To cook the chicken in the slow cooker, see this post for Crock Pot Shredded Chicken. To bake the chicken, see this post for Baked Chicken Breast. You can also grill it using my favorite Grilled Chicken Breast recipe.
- Give Yourself a Shortcut. If you’re looking for a shortcut, you can certainly opt to use your favorite store-bought Caesar salad dressing. However, I may be biased, but I really think this homemade Greek yogurt Caesar dressing is worth the extra (minimal) effort.
- Tips for Leftovers. If you know you will be serving leftovers, you can make a little extra dressing and set it aside to toss on the leftovers before serving to keep them from drying out. No extra dressing? Try reviving the leftovers with a big squeeze of lemon juice.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
The BEST chicken caesar pasta salad with Greek yogurt caesar dressing and whole wheat pasta. Perfect for family meals and summer BBQs!
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat fusilli pasta or your favorite pasta shape
- 12 ounces chicken breast cooked and cut into bite-size pieces (about 1 very large or 2 small/medium breasts; see my easy method for cooking it here!)*
- 1 romaine lettuce heart chopped (about 8 ounces)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved
- ¾ cup croutons
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 batch Homemade Caesar Dressing
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain into a colander. Rinse under cold water, then shake off as much excess water as possible. Set aside to cool.
- Cut up some leftover cooked chicken breasts into bite-size pieces (or cook the chicken breasts according to this method for how to cook shredded chicken).
- Prepare the Homemade Caesar Dressing, if necessary.
- Shake out the pasta once more, then add the pasta to a large serving bowl. Top with the chicken, romaine, tomatoes, croutons, and Parmesan. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss to combine. Enjoy cold or at room temperature.
Video
Notes
- *FAVORITE WAYS TO COOK CHICKEN: To cook the chicken in the Instant Pot, see this post for Instant Pot Chicken. To cook the chicken in the slow cooker, see this post for Crock Pot Shredded Chicken. To bake the chicken, see this post for Baked Chicken Breast.
- MAKE AHEAD: This salad can be made 1 day in advance.
- TO STORE: Chicken Caesar pasta salad tastes best the day it is made but will keep in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days and can be made 1 day in advance.
- LEFTOVER TIP. Make a little extra dressing and set it aside to toss on the leftovers before serving to keep them from drying out. No extra dressing? Try reviving the leftovers with a big squeeze of lemon juice.
Nutrition
Serving: 1(of 6), about 2 cupsCalories: 417kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 28gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 44mgFiber: 9gSugar: 4g
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Hot take: Pasta salads are the best salads. Here are some more recipes that prove my case.
The Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad looks easy & delicious. Do you have a crouton preference? Not all croutons are created equal! I used to love the Pepperidge Farm Seasoned croutons, but I don’t believe they are available anymore. Some are way to big; some don’t have much flavor or overpower your recipe with salt. Without having to try tons of croutons, I would love some feedback on yours and your readers favorites.
Linda, I totally feel you on the crouton struggle! To be honest, I am not a huge connoisseur. I usually try to look for whole wheat ones, and those options are more limited. The best I’ve tried though (whole wheat aside) are Chatham Village and Cardini. They are a decent size (so many are way too tiny) and have good flavor. The Cardini ones are a bit bigger, so if you like them to be easy to spear with a fork, those are the ones I’d go with. I hope that helps!
I love food mashups and chicken caesar pasta salad is one of my favorites! Sometimes I even grill or slightly char the lettuce for a smoky taste.
BEST PASTA SALAD EVER.
I made this for healthy lunches this week and I LOVE it. Thanks for a recipe that makes me look forward to meal time!
Audra, I am so so happy to hear this, thank you!
This sounds delicious! I’m wondering what suggestions you have to make this vegetarian – would it be hearty enough to just omit the chicken, or maybe sub tofu instead? Thoughts? Thanks! :)
Hi Samantha! The possibilities are endless on what you want to add or omit. Pasta in itself is hearty, and although I haven’t tried it and you would be experimenting, you could omit the chicken.
It was really great flavor with the homemade dressing, and would have been perfect if we ate it immediately but I refrigerated it for only about 3 hours before we ate it and the Greek yogurt dressing was dried. :( loved the favor but it was dry. I was super bummed. Any thoughts on why?
Hi! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it overall! I haven’t had this happen before, so I’m not sure what might’ve gone wrong. In the future, you could wait to add the dressing until just before serving to ensure you’re able to stir it up again. I hope this helps!
I’m a sucker for a good Caesar salad, so when I found this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe, I knew I had to try it. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! I roasted some cherry tomatoes with garlic and tossed them in for a touch of sweetness. It added another layer of flavor that was absolutely delightful. Definitely recommend giving it a go!
So glad you enjoyed it, Gwen!
I’m all about shortcuts in the kitchen, especially during the week. For this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, I used a store-bought rotisserie chicken and pre-cooked penne pasta to save time. But the secret weapon? Homemade croutons! I just cubed up some stale bread, tossed them with olive oil, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, and toasted them in the oven. They added a delightful homemade touch that really elevated the dish.
Glad to hear you enjoyed it, Melanie!
My kids can be picky eaters, but they devoured this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. I’m always looking for ways to sneak more vegetables into my kids’ diet. I snuck in some chopped broccoli florets, and they didn’t even notice!
Great to hear, thank you Danna!