Classic Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad with romaine lettuce, rotisserie chicken, homemade croutons, tomatoes, and fresh grated and shaved Parmesan, all tossed in an easy homemade Caesar Salad Dressing. This delicious dish is ideal for hot summer months when a light meal is desired. Serve as soon as it is prepared or chill for several hours.
This tasty pasta salad comes together quickly and easily, but still tastes like you fussed over it. I love to take this tasty dish to parties, potlucks, and reunions. You can prepare the dressing and the croutons in advance, leaving more time for summer’s fun. Enjoy this tasty dish with chilled cherry lemonade or a cool refreshing Arnold Palmer drink.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Mayonnaisse: My favorite brand is Duke’s. It is consistently creamy and delicious.
- Lemon juice: Fresh is always best.
- Anchovy paste: Anchovy paste can be found at the grocery store in the same aisle as other canned fish like tuna and sardines. Once opened, store it in the refrigerator, and it will last about 3 months.
- Pasta: Any short pasta shape will work with this recipe, including penne, rotini, elbow macaroni, farfalle, fusilli, and cellentani pasta.
- Cooked chicken: Any cooked chicken works with this recipe. I like to use rotisserie chicken because it tastes so good and it is so convenient.
- Croutons: You can use store-bought croutons, but I highly recommend homemade croutons. They take any salad’s flavor over the top, and they are so easy to make.
- Parmesan cheese: Use fresh grated and/or shaved Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano). Buy it by the block and grate or shave it yourself.
How to make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This is the summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
First, bring a large pot of salted water to boil over medium-high heat and cook the pasta noodles al dente according to the package directions on the box and drain well in a colander. Rinse with just a little bit of cold water to stop the cooking process and keep the pasta from sticking. Meanwhile, stir the mayo, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, anchovy paste, Worcestershire Sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper together.
In a large bowl, add the pasta and stir to cool. Once cool, add the chopped romaine lettuce, cooked chicken, homemade croutons, grape tomatoes, Parmesan Cheese, and the dressing. Toss gently to coat and season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
Preparation Notes and Storage
- Yes, real Caesar Dressing is made with anchovies. The taste is very subtle, and it is not going to smell like fish.
- This salad is best served shortly after it is prepared. Store the salad covered in the fridge until serving time.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The lettuce will not stay as crisp, and the croutons will not stay as crunchy, but it is still flavorful.
More Pasta Salad Recipes
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Homemade Caesar Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic pressed or minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper to taste
Chicken Pasta Salad
- 1 lb. penne pasta cooked al dente
- 4 cups romaine lettuce washed and chopped
- 2½ cups cooked chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
- 1½ cups homemade croutons
- 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes halved
- ¾ cup shredded or shaved Parmesan Cheese
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta al dente according to the directions on the box and drain well in a colander. Rinse with just a little bit of cold water to stop the cooking process and to keep the pasta from sticking to each other.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the mayo, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, anchovy paste, Worcestershire Sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper to taste.
- In a large serving bowl, add the pasta and stir to cool. Once cool, add the romaine lettuce, cooked chicken, homemade croutons, grape tomatoes, Parmesan Cheese, and the dressing. Stir gently to coat. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
Notes
- Yes, real Caesar Dressing is made with anchovies. The taste is very subtle, and it is not going to smell like fish.
- This salad is best served shortly after it is prepared. Store the salad covered in the fridge until serving time.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The lettuce will not stay as crisp, and the croutons will not stay as crunchy, but it is still flavorful.
Nutrition
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Kat
What a great pasta salad. We loved every bite. This will be on regular rotation at our house over the summer.
Clarice
This looks really delicious! I love Caesar salad with fresh vegetables, but I haven’t actually tried it with pasta. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Will make this on Saturday.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Clarice! Enjoy!
Nicky
This is my favorite salad of all time, I could eat this everyday. It is really healthy and I must say you will not regret if you make and eat it. It is just that good!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Nicky! We like it too!
Catherine
This was so good and fresh! I love Caesar salad and pasta, so putting this together was fun! Thanks for the inspiration.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Catherine!
Kat
That pasta salad looks like a perfect mix of flavors! I’m all in for anything with chicken and Caesar dressing.
Beth Pierce
Me too, Kat! Enjoy!
Barbie R
A great recipe for those who love a Caesar salad. My boyfriend loved it and we both agreed I should make it often.
Melanie E
What a coincidence, I have been craving a Caesar salad for ages. I keep forgetting to buy the ingredients. I do like the pasta addition as that is ideal for after a workout.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Melanie! Enjoy!
Melanie williams
Perfect pasta dish now the weather is a little hotter and a nice one to enjoy with a lovely gin and tonic in the garden.
Beth Pierce
I could not agree more!
Maureen
I am trying to eat more salads these days especially since beach days are near! I was tiring out of my usual packaged salads and needed something different. This chicken caesar pasta salad was a great alternative. It was hearty but still healthy.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Maureen! I am glad that you liked it.
Michelle
Your recipes are always such a hit at our family dinner table! This one was delicious. Hubby and I really enjoyed it. This is a great spring and summer recipe.
Emily
I never thought to make a ceasar pasta salad! It was delicious and easy to make. Thanks for the new recipe. I will hold on to this one.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Emily! So happy that you liked it.
Lisa
OMGoodness this salad was so delicious and it’s a fulfilling dish. You really don’t have to pair it with anything else.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Lisa! So glad that you enjoyed it.
dianne
Love your recipes !!!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Dianne!
Tweenselmom
This was so yummy. I added some crispy bacon and it really took it over the top!
Pooja
I love the chicken Caesar pasta salad especially when my husband cooks it. This is a great dish for any gathering or picnics
Beth Pierce
Thanks Pooja! So glad that you like it!
Brianne
This is a refreshing recipe for the week. I’m so excited to make it. Look at all the goodness in a bowl.