Description
Cool summer gatherings find their perfect match with Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, a refreshing blend of crisp romaine, tender chicken, and zesty dressing. Creamy parmesan and crunchy croutons elevate this classic dish, promising delightful bites you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 cups cooked and chopped chicken
- 1–1.5 cups cooked and crumbled bacon
Primary Salad Components:
- 1 pound pasta, cooked and chilled
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 1 bag croutons (5 ounces / 142 grams)
- 1 can sliced olives (optional)
Cheese and Dressing:
- 1–1.5 cups shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 bottle caesar dressing (16 ounces / 473 milliliters)
- Ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then rapidly cool under cold running water to stop cooking process and prevent sticking.
- Dice pre-cooked chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces for consistent texture throughout the salad.
- Finely chop crisp romaine lettuce and thinly slice red onion to provide sharp, fresh flavor contrasts.
- Drain and slice kalamata olives if using, ensuring they are pat dried to prevent excess liquid in the salad.
- Crumble crispy bacon into small fragments and grate fresh Parmesan cheese for added richness and depth.
- Transfer chilled pasta to a large mixing bowl, creating ample space for thorough ingredient distribution.
- Systematically layer chicken, lettuce, onion, olives, croutons, bacon, and Parmesan over pasta base.
- Drizzle Caesar dressing generously, using a gentle folding technique to coat ingredients evenly without breaking delicate components.
- Season with freshly cracked black pepper and additional salt if needed, tasting for balanced flavor profile.
- Chill salad for minimum 60 minutes in refrigerator, allowing flavors to meld and develop complex taste dimensions.
- Serve cold as standalone meal or complementary side dish, garnishing with extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Chill pasta thoroughly by rinsing under cold water to prevent clumping and maintain a crisp texture in the salad.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick time-saving option that adds extra flavor and reduces cooking preparation.
- Customize the salad by substituting protein with grilled shrimp, tofu, or roasted vegetables for vegetarian and seafood alternatives.
- Add extra crunch by toasting homemade croutons with garlic and herbs instead of using store-bought versions for enhanced taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 665 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg