Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad: The Potluck MVP That Combines Two Classics
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines the classic flavors of Caesar salad with hearty pasta and tender chicken for a crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and meal prep. With creamy Caesar dressing, crisp romaine, savory parmesan, and optional bacon, this salad actually improves as it sits, making it ideal for make-ahead entertaining!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes (plus 30 min chilling time)
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Category: Salad, Main Dish, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling, Assembly
- Cuisine: American, Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Salad:
- 1 lb short pasta (penne, rotini, bow ties)
- 3 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, shaved/grated
- ½ cup bacon bits (optional)
- 1 cup croutons (add before serving)
Caesar Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Shake off excess water.
- Prep chicken: Dice or shred rotisserie chicken (or cook and dice fresh chicken). Need 3 cups total.
- Make dressing: Whisk together mayo, sour cream, garlic, lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire, anchovy paste, parmesan, pepper, and salt until smooth and creamy.
- Chop romaine: Wash, dry thoroughly, and chop romaine into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble: In large bowl, combine cooled pasta, chicken, romaine (if serving soon), tomatoes, and bacon. Pour dressing over and toss thoroughly. Add parmesan and toss again.
- Chill: Refrigerate minimum 30 minutes, preferably 2-4 hours or overnight for best flavor.
- Serve: Add croutons right before serving. Toss gently, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve cold.
Notes
- Salt pasta water generously—essential for flavor
- Rinse pasta completely to stop cooking and remove starch
- Add romaine within 1 hour of serving to prevent wilting
- Add croutons immediately before serving to maintain crunch
- Make extra dressing to refresh before serving
- Salad tastes better on day 2 as flavors meld
- Store romaine and croutons separately if making ahead
- Use real parmesan for best flavor
- Store refrigerated up to 3 days
- Perfect for meal prep—portion into containers
Find it online: https://recipya.com/chicken-caesar-pasta-salad-recipe-7-steps/