This chicken caesar pasta salad is delicious, easy, and the perfect healthy summer lunch. The best twist on a classic favourite – chicken caesar salad.
Who doesn’t love a light lunch, especially on a warm spring or summer day? Pasta salads are my go-to; they’re quick, filling, and always hit the spot. And can you guess what my other go-to lunch for those warmer days is? Yep! A chicken caesar salad. So I thought why not mix it up a little?
Combining two favourites into one delicious dish was the best thing I’ve done. And let me tell you, this creamy chicken caesar pasta salad turned out even better than I imagined. I couldn’t keep this recipe to myself, so here I am, sharing it with you.
Whether you need a quick, nutritious lunch or a meal prep option for busy workdays, this creamy healthy chicken caesar pasta salad has got you covered. Not only will I walk you through the recipe, but I’ll also share how to make your own caesar dressing from scratch. Trust me, it’s worth the effort – healthier and tastier than anything you’d find in a store.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did. Let me know what you think by dropping a comment and rating below – your feedback means everything to me. And if you decide to showcase your creation on Instagram, don’t forget to tag @lotsoflovemariam. I can’t wait to see your delicious recreations!
This post is all about a delicious chicken caesar pasta salad recipe!
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Jump to RecipeIngredients Needed:
Caesar Dressing
- Full Fat Mayo
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh lemon
- Mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic clove
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Pasta
- Fusili: Or Penne
- Chicken breast
- Turkey rashers
- Romaine lettuce
- Parmesan or cheddar cheese (I used cheddar cheese but traditionally you’d find shreaded parmesan in a caesar salad)
- Baguette or ciabatta
- Salt
- Garlic granules
- Black pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil
How To Make This Delicious Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe:
- Begin by washing your chicken breast thoroughly. Next, horizontally slice the chicken breasts through the center to create thinner pieces. Season the chicken with salt, garlic granules, black pepper, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
- Heat a pan over low to medium heat and add some butter. Fry the seasoned chicken until fully cooked, then remove it from the pan, leaving the fat behind. In the same pan, add the turkey rashers and cook until crispy. Set both the chicken and turkey rashers aside to cool completely.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place torn bread on a baking tray lined with a non-stick baking sheet. Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over the bread, mix, and bake for 5-7 minutes or until golden and crispy. Allow the toasted bread to cool down.
- While the bread is cooling, cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it with water until cool. Alternatively, you can let it cool naturally if you have enough time. Ensure all excess water is removed.
- In a food processor, combine mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, mustard, lemon juice, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and well combined.
- Chop your lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Cut the cooked chicken into small chunks, and also cut the turkey rashers into small bite-sized pieces.
- In a large serving bowl, add the cooked and cooled pasta, chopped lettuce, chicken, turkey rashers, toasted bread, and shaved cheese. Pour the homemade dressing over the ingredients and toss well to coat everything evenly.
- Serve and enjoy your delicious and creamy chicken caesar pasta salad!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Versatility: It’s a dish that can be served as a main course, or even packed for lunches. This versatility makes it perfect for various occasions, from family dinners to picnics.
- Satisfying and Filling: The combination of chicken and pasta makes it a filling meal that will leave you satisfied.
- Easy to Customize: You can customize this recipe to your preferences such as if you want to add extra veggies or use a different pasta
- Meal Prep Friendly: You can prepare in advance which makes it convenient for busy schedules.
- Balanced Nutrition: It offers a balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables, making it a wholesome meal choice.
- Great for Leftovers: Any leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day – perfect for packed lunches.
How To Store:
- Refrigeration: After making the salad, immediately store it in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge (if you are not eating it after you’ve made it). Chicken caesar pasta salad can typically be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. However, always use your judgment and inspect the salad before consuming it.
- Dressing Separation: If you’re making the salad ahead of time, consider storing the dressing separately and adding it just before serving. This helps maintain the crispness of the lettuce and prevents it from becoming soggy.
Other Pasta Chicken Salad Recipes You’ll Enjoy:
Chicken caesar pasta salad
Equipment
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- food processor (or blender)
- baking tray
- Non-stick baking sheet
- frying pan
- large pot (to cook the pasta)
Ingredients
Caesar Dressing
- 1 cup full fat mayo
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp worchesteshire sauce
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1/4 tsp sea salt (opt for celtic sea salt or Himalayan for a healthier alternative to table salt)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Pasta Salad
- 350 grams uncooked fusilli (or penne)
- 2 chicken breasts
- 8 slices turkey rashers
- 1 large romaine lettuce head
- 1/4 cup shaved cheddar cheese or parmesan
- 1 cup torn baguette or ciabatta
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste (for the chicken)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (for the chicken)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (for the chicken)
- 1-2 tsp extra virgin olive oil (for the chicken)
Instructions
- Wash your chicken and slice chicken breasts horizontally through the middle. Season with salt, garlic granules, black pepper, and olive oil. Cook your chicken in butter in low medium heat and remove once crispy. Then cook the turkey rashers in the fat (without washing the pan).
- Set the chicken and rashers aside to cool down.
- Preheat oven to 180°C. Drizzle torn bread with olive oil and bake until crispy for about 5-7 minutes or until golden and crispy. Then set aside to cool down.
- In a large pot, cook pasta according to instructions. Rinse and drain. Or you can leave it to cool down naturally if you have enough time.
- To make your caesar salad dressing, add mayo, Parmesan, mustard, lemon juice, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a food processor. Blend it until smooth.
- Chop lettuce, chicken, and turkey rashers into bite size pieces. In a large bowl combine all ingredients starting with the pasta. Then pour in your dressing and mix!
- Enjoy your creamy chicken caesar pasta salad!
This post was all about a delicious chicken caesar salad recipe!
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!
Don’t forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment down below! I would love to hear what you guys think. Also don’t forget to tag me on your stories @lotsoflovemariam.
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