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.
How to make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
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.
Recipe Notes
- Yes, real Caesar Dressing is made with anchovies. The taste is very subtle, and it is not going to smell like fish.
- 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.
- Any short pasta shape will work with this recipe, including rotini, elbow macaroni, farfalle, fusilli, and cellentani pasta.
- Any cooked chicken works with this recipe. I like to use rotisserie chicken because it tastes so good and it is so convenient.
- 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.
- Use fresh grated and/or shaved Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano). Buy it by the block and grate or shave it yourself.
- 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.
How to store Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is best served shortly after it is prepared. Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to serve. 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. If it appears to be dry, simply add a little more dressing or mayonnaise.
More Pasta Salad Recipes to try
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
A summer fresh Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad with romaine lettuce, rotisserie chicken, croutons, grape tomatoes, and fresh Parmesan Cheese, all in a creamy Caesar Dressing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: side dish/pasta salad
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American
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
- 2 ½ cups cooked chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 ½ 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.
- Anchovy paste can be found at the grocery store in the same aisle as the other canned fish like tuna and sardines. Once opened, store it in the refrigerator, and it will last about 3 months.
- Any cooked chicken works with this recipe. I like to use rotisserie chicken because it tastes so good and it is so convenient.
- 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.
- Use fresh grated and/or shaved Parmesan Cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano). Buy it by the block and grate or shave it yourself.
- 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.
Keywords: pasta Caesar salad with chicken, Caesar pasta chicken salad
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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.
★★★★★
Melanie E
That sounds like a great twist for a pasta salad. I do love Caesar salad. That would make a nice change.
★★★★★
Christine
I love a good pasta salad and have a good recipe of my own, but I really like this recipe. Adding chicken and cheese sounds yummy! I can’t wait to try this recipe. It looks delicious and is perfectly light for summer eating.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Christine! Enjoy!!
Stephanie
I love making so many things from scratch, including the dressing! I can adjust to our tastes and make it a recipe we all love. This is such a perfect appetizer for any get together.
★★★★★
Maureen
Yum-mmmm! This was so delicious and perfect for the hot summer. Not only filling, but also healthy and satisfying.
★★★★★
Jennifer Prince
This was so hearty and delicious! I’m also always a fan of shaved parmesan. Thanks for the great recipe. I will make it again.
Erik
Love the caesar salad flavor, and the addition of pasta takes it to the next level!
★★★★★
kushigalu
Love the combination of flavors in this pasta salad. SO delicious. Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
Jill
I love a hearty, entrée salad like this. Thanks for this recipe, it was fantastic!
★★★★★
Tara
Oh yum! Definitely the perfect meal for summer! I love all those flavors and how easily the pasta salad comes together.
★★★★★
Toni
This quickly became a favorite at my house! Everyone loved it!
★★★★★
Jess
Genius flavor combo! My kids love Caesar salad and they love pasta. This is perfect!
★★★★★
Erin
I love this! Such a fantastic dish, yum!
Juliane
My family really enjoyed this! Thanks for the great recipe!
★★★★★
Catalina
This pasta salad is so rich. It’s a complete meal! Love it for my lunches!
★★★★★
Amanda
I am definitely going to make this for fourth of July party, thank you!
Krystle
This is always a hit at my picnics. Filling enough to be a meal too.