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Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.3 from 25 reviews

Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad loaded with tender, seasoned chicken, fresh romaine and baby spinach, parmesan cheese, crunchy croutons, and rotini pasta all tossed in a rich and flavorful Caesar dressing. This salad is perfect as a main course, side salad, or a light lunch.

  • Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika

Pasta and Vegetables

  • 16 ounces garden rotini pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1 cup baby spinach

Cheese and Toppings

  • ½ cup shaved parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup croutons

Dressing

  • 16 ounce bottle Caesar salad dressing

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with garlic powder, pepper, and paprika. Toss well to evenly coat all the chicken.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and allow it to cool slightly.
  4. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, combine the cooked pasta, browned chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped romaine lettuce, baby spinach, shaved parmesan cheese, and croutons.
  5. Toss with Dressing: Pour the Caesar salad dressing over the combined ingredients. Toss gently and thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.
  6. Chill Before Serving: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
  7. Serve: After chilling, give the salad a final gentle toss and serve cold or at room temperature as a refreshing main dish or side salad.

Notes

  • For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours to allow the ingredients to meld.
  • You can substitute rotini with any short pasta shape such as penne or fusilli.
  • Add extra veggies like cucumbers or bell peppers for more crunch and freshness.
  • Use leftover cooked chicken if preferred to save time.
  • To make this dish healthier, opt for a light Caesar dressing.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/creamy-chicken-caesar-pasta-salad-recipe/