Description
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a quick and delicious dish perfect for a light lunch or easy dinner. Combining tender shredded chicken, crisp romaine, al dente pasta, and creamy Caesar dressing, it’s enhanced with homemade toasted garlic breadcrumbs and shaved Parmesan for extra flavor and crunch.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 pound short pasta (penne, fusilli, or cavatappi recommended)
- 1 pound shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1 to 2 large romaine hearts (chopped or torn)
- 1 cup Caesar salad dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- to taste Kosher salt (for flavoring pasta water)
- to taste Freshly ground black pepper (for seasoning)
- to taste Shaved Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Breadcrumb Topping
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (for toasting breadcrumbs)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs (for crunch)
Instructions
- Boil Water: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat to prepare for cooking the pasta.
- Sauté Garlic: In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook gently until it becomes fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Toast Breadcrumbs: Add the panko breadcrumbs to the skillet with the garlic and stir continuously until the breadcrumbs turn golden-brown and crispy. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Add the short pasta to the boiling salted water and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse briefly under cool water to stop cooking and cool it down.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large serving bowl, add the cooled pasta, shredded chicken, and chopped romaine lettuce. Pour the Caesar dressing over the mixture and toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with additional dressing, salt, and freshly ground black pepper if needed. Mix in half of the toasted garlic breadcrumbs, toss again, then garnish the top of the salad with the remaining breadcrumbs and generous shavings of Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- To save time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
- For a lighter option, use a low-fat Caesar dressing or substitute with Greek yogurt-based dressing.
- If you prefer gluten-free pasta, substitute with gluten-free varieties.
- The toasted garlic breadcrumbs add a delightful texture—don’t skip this step.
- Salad is best served immediately but can be chilled for an hour if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
