This Chicken Caesar Salad Pasta is perfect for potlucks or meal prep! It has a creamy homemade dressing, parmesan and crunchy croutons.
Are you prepping lunches for the week or bringing a dish to a summer gathering? This recipe is easy to make and super satisfying. Toss everything together for a salad that’s sure to be a hit!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Perfect for meal prep or potlucks: This pasta salad holds up well in the fridge and tastes just as good the next day.
- Hearty twist on a classic: With the creamy Caesar dressing, protein-packed chicken, and al dente pasta, it’s more filling version of the beloved Caesar salad that DELIVERS.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Olive oil – Use avocado oil or canola oil if your out of olive oil.
- Chicken breasts – Substitute with boneless skinless chicken thighs, cooked rotisserie chicken, or grilled tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Cajun seasoning – Swap for Italian seasoning, garlic herb blend, or keep it simple with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Romaine lettuce – Try iceberg, or butterhead if romaine isn’t available.
- Rotini pasta – Penne, fusilli, or bowtie pasta all work well. Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Croutons – Sub with crushed pita chips, toasted breadcrumbs, or omit for a lower-carb option.
- Parmesan cheese – Use Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano. For dairy-free, try nutritional yeast or a vegan parmesan alternative.
Dressing
- Light mayo – Use regular mayo or Greek yogurt for extra protein and tang.
- Sour cream – Replace with plain Greek yogurt or a dairy-free alternative.
- Lemon juice – White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can work in a pinch.
- Worcestershire sauce – Try soy sauce, tamari (for gluten-free), or a splash of anchovy paste.
- Garlic – Garlic powder can work if fresh isn’t available.
- Capers – Anchovy paste or finely chopped green olives offers a similar salty kick.
How to make chicken caesar pasta salad
Step 1: Cook the pasta.
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
Step 2: Season the chicken.
Slice chicken into cutlets then rub cajun spice, salt and pepper.
Step 3: Cook the chicken.
Cook chicken in a skillet with olive oil for 5 minutes per side. Let it rest.
Step 4: Make the dressing.
Whisk together all dressing ingredients.
Step 5: Dice the chicken.
Dice the chicken once cooled.
Step 6: Prep, assemble and enjoy.
In a large bowl, add pasta, lettuce, chicken and croutons, drizzle with dressing and top with parmesan.
Recipe Tips & Variations
This chicken Caesar pasta salad is so easy to customize! Here are some ways to spice things up, lighten the dressing, or swap in your favourite ingredients
- Cool the pasta complete: This makes sure you don’t wilt the lettuce.
- Rest the chicken: After cooking, set the chicken aside for 5 minutes so it stays juicy when sliced.
- Make it creamy: Double the dressing if you like it creamy.
- Swap protein: Use shrimp, grilled tofu or rotisserie chicken.
- Spice up: Add spice with red pepper flakes or chipotle Caesar dressing.
- More veggies: mix cherry tomatoes, diced cucumbers or roasted bell peppers.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep the lettuce crisp?
Keep the lettuce and dressing separate until you’re ready to serve to maintain the fresh crunch.
Can I grill the chicken instead of pan-frying it?
Yes! Grilling adds amazing smoky flavour and is perfect if you’re already firing up the BBQ.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free pasta and gluten-free croutons to make this salad gluten-free.
What to serve with pasta salad
If you’re looking to round out the table, here are some delicious pairings:
- Garlic bread, rolls or flatbread
- Baked BBQ chicken, chicken wings or chicken burgers
- Mashed potatoes or sandwich
- Beef soup or mushroom soup
Make ahead and storage tips
Make-ahead: Prepare all ingredients ahead of time, but wait to toss with dressing until just before serving to keep everything crisp.
Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days.
More easy pasta recipes
Meal prep tools
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning this pasta salad into leftovers.
- I like this salad dressing shaker to make homemade dressings and marinades easier.
- Get a meat thermometer to make sure your salmon is cooked through.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breasts sliced in half to make cutlets
- 1 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 1 head romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup rotini pasta dry
- 1/2 cup croutons crumbled
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated or shaved
Easy dressing
- 1/2 cup light mayo
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp capers finely minced
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large pot of salted water over high heat. When boiling, cook pasta for 9 minutes until al dente. Drain pasta and let cool at least 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cut chicken to make cutlets and rub with cajun seasoning and season with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a bit of olive oil. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes per side. Let cool at least 5 minutes before dicing into pieces.
- Mix dressing ingredients together and clean and slice up lettuce.
- Add pasta, lettuce, chicken and croutons to a bowl. Toss with dressing, then garnish with fresh parmesan. Serve and enjoy!
Comments & Reviews
Taylor says
This is so perfect for summer!