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- 8 oz rotini pasta - 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces - 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped into large pieces - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese - 1/4 cup creamy Caesar dressing - 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt - 1/4 tsp garlic powder - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper - 1/4 tsp salt - Croutons, for a crunchy topping - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional) To make this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, gather these simple ingredients. First, you need rotini pasta. This pasta shape holds the dressing well. Next, you'll want cooked chicken breast. Dice it into small pieces for easy eating. Romaine lettuce adds a nice crunch. Cherry tomatoes give a burst of flavor. For the creamy dressing, use Caesar dressing mixed with Greek yogurt. This combo makes it rich and healthy. Add garlic powder, black pepper, and salt for taste. Finally, croutons will give a delightful crunch on top. Fresh basil leaves can add a pop of color. With these ingredients on hand, you are ready to create a tasty and satisfying salad that everyone will love! {{ingredient_image_2}} To cook rotini pasta, start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt for flavor. Drop in 8 oz of rotini pasta. Cook it according to the package directions. You want it to be al dente, which means it should be firm but not hard. This usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander. Rinse the pasta thoroughly under cold running water. This stops the cooking process and cools it down. Set the pasta aside to cool completely. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta with 1 cup of diced cooked chicken breast. Add 2 cups of chopped romaine lettuce and 1/2 cup of halved cherry tomatoes. Make sure to mix well so every bite has a bit of everything. Next, prepare the dressing. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of creamy Caesar dressing and 1/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt. This adds extra creaminess. Add 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix well until smooth. Drizzle the dressing mixture over the pasta salad. Use a spatula or a large spoon to gently fold all the ingredients together. Make sure every piece is coated in the creamy dressing. Now, sprinkle 1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the salad. Mix gently to spread the cheese throughout. If you have time, let the salad rest in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. This helps the flavors mix better. Just before serving, add a generous handful of croutons on top for crunch. You can also garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and flavor. Enjoy your tasty Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad! Letting your salad rest is key. Resting helps the flavors blend well. I recommend chilling it for about 15 minutes. This short wait makes a big difference. Use fresh ingredients for the best taste. Fresh romaine, juicy tomatoes, and high-quality chicken shine in this dish. They add crispness and brightness that dried or old ingredients can't match. For a lovely presentation, serve your salad in a big, bright bowl. This makes it look inviting and fresh. You can also plate individual servings for guests. Sprinkle extra Parmesan on top for a gourmet touch. A dash of cracked black pepper adds flavor and style. To brighten the dish, pair it with lemon wedges. The acidity of lemon cuts through the creaminess. It makes each bite more exciting and fresh. Pro Tips Tip Title: Cook Pasta Perfectly: Always cook the rotini pasta until al dente for the best texture in your salad. This helps prevent mushiness when mixed with the dressing. Tip Title: Chill for Flavor: Allowing the salad to rest in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes before serving helps the flavors meld together, enhancing the overall taste. Tip Title: Customize Your Greens: Feel free to mix in other greens like spinach or arugula for added flavor and nutrition. This can also add a different texture to your salad. Tip Title: Add a Protein Boost: For an extra protein boost, consider adding chickpeas or black beans to the salad. This will make it more filling and nutritious. {{image_4}} You can make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad even better by adding extra ingredients. Try adding proteins like shrimp or bacon for a fun twist. - Shrimp: Cooked shrimp adds a lovely seafood taste. Just toss them in when you mix your salad. - Bacon: Crispy bacon bits bring a smoky flavor. Cook the bacon until crisp, then crumble it in. You can also add more vegetables for extra crunch and color. - Cucumbers: Diced cucumbers add a refreshing crunch. They pair well with the creamy dressing. - Bell Peppers: Chopped bell peppers bring sweetness and brightness. Use any color you like! These extra ingredients make your salad unique and delicious. You can choose different dressings to switch up the flavor. If you want to make homemade Caesar dressing, it’s easy! - Homemade Caesar Dressing: Combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and anchovy paste. Whisk until smooth for a fresh taste. If you want to try other dressings, consider these options: - Ranch Dressing: This creamy style is a crowd-pleaser. It pairs nicely with chicken and pasta. - Italian Dressing: This tangy option adds a zesty kick. It works well with fresh vegetables. Mixing up the dressing keeps your pasta salad exciting and full of flavor. To keep your Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps to lock in moisture and flavors. Place the container in the fridge. The salad stays good for about three days. After that, it may lose its taste and texture. If you like your pasta warm, you can reheat it. Use a microwave or stovetop for this. Just warm it gently to avoid overcooking. If you prefer to serve the salad cold, simply enjoy it straight from the fridge. The cool flavors are refreshing, especially on hot days. To make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad gluten-free, swap the rotini pasta with gluten-free options. There are many types of gluten-free pasta available, like brown rice or quinoa pasta. Both work well in this dish. Just cook them as you would regular pasta. The salad will still taste great! Yes, you can use canned chicken instead of cooked chicken breast. Canned chicken is quick and easy. It saves time and adds protein to your salad. Just drain and rinse it before adding. This will help remove excess salt. Plus, canned chicken has a nice flavor that mixes well with the other ingredients. Yes, you can prepare Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad ahead of time. To do this, follow these best practices: - Cook the pasta and let it cool. - Mix all ingredients except for the dressing and croutons. - Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge. - Add the dressing and croutons just before serving. This keeps everything fresh and crunchy! This blog post covers making Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad step by step. You learned the key ingredients and how to prepare them. The tips help enhance the salad’s flavor and texture, while the variations offer new ideas. Storing leftovers properly keeps your salad fresh. For those with dietary needs, we explored gluten-free options and meal prepping. Enjoy creating this dish that’s both tasty and easy to make!

Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A delicious and creamy pasta salad featuring rotini, chicken, and fresh vegetables, perfect for a light meal or side dish.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz rotini pasta
  • 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped into large pieces
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup creamy Caesar dressing
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • to taste croutons, for a crunchy topping
  • to taste fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Begin by cooking the rotini pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly under cold running water to halt the cooking process. Set it aside to cool completely.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta, diced chicken breast, chopped romaine lettuce, and halved cherry tomatoes, ensuring all ingredients are well distributed.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the creamy Caesar dressing and Greek yogurt until smooth and combined. Add the garlic powder, black pepper, and salt, mixing well until all ingredients are incorporated.
  • Drizzle the dressing mixture over the pasta salad and gently fold the ingredients together with a spatula or large spoon until every piece is evenly coated in the creamy dressing.
  • Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and mix gently to ensure that it is evenly distributed throughout the pasta and vegetables.
  • If time permits, let the salad rest in the refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
  • Just before serving, add a generous handful of croutons on top for an enjoyable crunch, and garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired for an extra touch of color and flavor.

Notes

For an elegant finish, sprinkle extra grated Parmesan on top and add a dash of freshly cracked black pepper. Consider pairing it with lemon wedges for an added zest.
Keyword Caesar dressing, chicken, pasta salad, salad