Description
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines tender chicken, crisp Romaine lettuce, al dente pasta, creamy Caesar dressing, freshly grated Parmesan, and crunchy garlicky breadcrumbs for a flavor-packed meal. Perfect for picnics, lunches, or light dinners, this recipe delivers the perfect balance of freshness and comfort in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound uncooked farfalle (bow-tie) pasta
- 3 Romaine lettuce hearts, roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups Caesar dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Stir in breadcrumbs, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown. Set aside.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, until cooked through. Let rest, then slice thinly.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped Romaine lettuce, sliced chicken, and Caesar dressing. Toss gently until evenly coated.
- Top with grated Parmesan cheese and garlicky breadcrumbs. Serve immediately or chill for up to 4 hours before serving.
Notes
- Add breadcrumbs just before serving to maintain their crunch.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
- For a lighter version, use grilled chicken and a yogurt-based Caesar dressing.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, Caesar salad with pasta, creamy chicken pasta salad, garlicky pasta salad, easy pasta salad recipe