Description
Summer gatherings find their perfect companion in this chicken caesar pasta salad recipe, blending classic flavors with creamy dressing and tender chicken. Crisp romaine, grilled chicken, and parmesan cheese create a refreshing meal you’ll crave for outdoor dining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups diced chicken breast
- 1 cup caesar dressing
- 8 oz (225 g) rotini pasta
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ¼ cup croutons
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook rotini in salted, rolling boiling water until perfectly al dente, around 8-10 minutes. Immediately drain and rinse under cold water to cease cooking and rapidly cool the pasta.
- Protein Integration: Cube cooked chicken into consistent, bite-sized pieces to guarantee harmonious distribution throughout the salad.
- Base Assembly: Merge cooled pasta, diced chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and minced red onion in a spacious mixing vessel, creating a colorful and textural foundation.
- Flavor Enhancement: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese across the mixture, then lavishly drench with Caesar dressing. Utilize tongs to thoroughly coat and intertwine all ingredients, ensuring comprehensive flavor penetration.
- Leafy Dimension: Delicately fold chopped romaine lettuce into the mixture, maintaining leaf integrity while seamlessly blending with existing components.
- Textural Finale: Garnish with crisp croutons moments before serving to preserve their satisfying crunch and prevent moisture absorption.
- Serving Strategy: Present immediately or refrigerate up to 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more sophisticated taste experience.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta al dente to maintain a firm, slightly chewy texture that prevents mushiness in the final salad.
- Chill Out: Cool pasta quickly under cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping, ensuring a refreshing, separate pasta base.
- Dress Wisely: Add Caesar dressing just before serving to keep lettuce crisp and croutons crunchy, avoiding soggy texture.
- Marinate Magic: Refrigerate salad for up to 2 hours to let flavors meld and intensify, creating a more complex and delicious dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg