Description
Savor summer’s coolest lunch with chicken caesar pasta salad, a Mediterranean-inspired classic blending creamy dressing and tender chicken. Crisp romaine, al dente pasta, and zesty parmesan create a refreshing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
Pasta and Cheese:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) rotini or penne pasta
- 1/3 cup (40 grams) finely grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (170 grams) mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
Instructions
- Craft a zesty emulsion by whisking Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, creamy mayonnaise, minced garlic, anchovy paste, and grated Parmesan cheese until thoroughly integrated.
- Boil pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes at a rolling boil, ensuring al dente texture. Immediately drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process.
- Slice crisp Romaine lettuce into bite-sized ribbons and shred cooked chicken into tender morsels.
- Transfer cooled pasta into a spacious mixing vessel, gently incorporating the chopped Romaine and succulent chicken pieces.
- Drizzle prepared dressing across the salad, using smooth, circular motions to guarantee uniform coating of all ingredients.
- Scatter crunchy croutons over the surface and sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese for enhanced texture and robust flavor profile.
- Chill salad for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and develop complexity.
Notes
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed dressing that cuts calories without sacrificing creaminess.
- Toast homemade croutons using day-old bread for extra crunch and to reduce food waste while enhancing flavor.
- Choose rotisserie chicken for a time-saving hack that adds deep, pre-seasoned flavor to the pasta salad.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days, keeping dressing and croutons separate to prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 340 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg