Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe features grilled chicken, rotini pasta, croutons, and tomatoes, drenched in Caesar salad dressing.
I remember first eating this salad at Emma’s baby shower 12 years ago! My sisters, Tiff and Lin, served it with Pizza Factory breadsticks, cookies, and a Crystal Light/Sprite drink. It has been a favorite recipe of mine ever since. This homemade Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad features tender grilled chicken, rotini pasta, crisp croutons, and juicy tomatoes, all tossed in a creamy, flavorful homemade Caesar dressing, over a bed of romaine lettuce. It’s healthy, fresh, and crunchy, making it the perfect dish to serve in the spring and summer.
CHICKEN CAESAR PASTA SALAD
For this pasta salad recipe, I like to cook two chicken breasts in a skillet and season them with a little lemon-pepper. It gives the salad extra flavor, and I highly recommend you try it! I chop up the chicken and add them to the salad. You could always use a Costco rotisserie chicken, too, to save you time! You can also use a store-bought Caesar salad dressing to make things easier. My favorite brand is Brianna’s. Serve chilled for a refreshing meal, perfect for lunch, dinner, potlucks, or picnics. Top with extra Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper for an extra boost of flavor.
Find my expert tips on how to make homemade chicken Caesar pasta salad below! Don’t forget to tag me in all of your creations @lifeinthelofthouse on Instagram and Facebook. Let’s stay connected. ❤️
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe:
- Fresh & Flavorful: Tender grilled chicken, crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, and seasoned croutons combine with rotini pasta for a perfectly balanced dish.
- Creamy Homemade Dressing: The rich, tangy Caesar dressing made with mayonnaise, Parmesan, lemon, and garlic elevates every bite.
- Quick & Convenient: With pre-cooked chicken and easy-to-whisk dressing, this pasta salad comes together in minutes, yet tastes like a restaurant-quality dish.
Ingredients
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 lb. cooked chicken breast, sliced or diced (we prefer to use grilled chicken. I season it with lemon-pepper seasoning.)
- 3 large heads Romaine lettuce (rinsed, dried, then chopped)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cup seasoned croutons
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Homemade Caesar Dressing
- 1 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- juice of 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons anchovy paste
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
For The Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Cook pasta in a large pot of water until al dente. Drain water, then rinse noodles under cold water to let cool.
In a large serving bowl, combine cooked chicken, tomatoes, and cooled pasta. Chill until ready to serve. When ready to eat: add the chopped romaine lettuce, croutons, and as much or as little Caesar dressing as you prefer to the bowl. Gently stir to combine everything. Top with Parmesan cheese. Serve and enjoy!
For The Homemade Caesar Dressing
Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients. Cover and chill in the fridge until ready to use.
Servings
Serves 6.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container; the pasta, chicken, and dressing can last in the fridge for 3-4 days. Add lettuce and croutons right before serving for maximum freshness. I don’t recommend freezing this pasta salad. However, you can freeze the pasta and cooked chicken separately without dressing for up to 1-2 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm the chicken and pasta gently in the microwave or on the stovetop before combining with fresh lettuce, croutons, and dressing just before serving.
Holly’s Tips for The Best Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe:
- Use Grilled or Roasted Chicken: Grilling or roasting your chicken beforehand adds a smoky, savory depth that enhances the salad’s overall taste.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Slightly firm pasta holds up better in salads and prevents a mushy texture after chilling.
- Chill Ingredients Before Serving: Keep the pasta, chicken, and lettuce chilled to ensure a refreshing, crisp salad.
- Add Croutons Last: Toss croutons in just before serving to keep them crunchy and prevent sogginess.
- Make It Your Own: You can control how much dressing you add and swap ingredients to your liking, making it perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or family lunches. If you’re short on time, feel free to use store-bought Caesar salad dressing. Either way, you will still get a delicious pasta salad.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You sure can! Prepare the pasta, chicken, and dressing in advance, then combine with lettuce and croutons just before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.
Rotini works best because it holds dressing well, but penne, fusilli, or farfalle are excellent alternatives.
Grilled or roasted chicken breast is ideal for flavor and texture, but leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken works well, too.
To make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad vegetarian, omit the chicken and anchovy paste in the dressing, and consider adding roasted vegetables or chickpeas for protein.
To make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad gluten-free, simply use gluten-free pasta and ensure your croutons are labeled gluten-free or omit them entirely. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free. Follow the rest of the recipe as directed.
Similar Recipes
Craving something similar? Make my Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad.
Looking for something a little different? Try my Chicken Strawberry Pasta Salad.
Wanting a meatless option? Serve my California Pasta Salad and Tri-Color Pasta Salad.
Can’t get enough of pasta salad? Don’t miss out on these highly-rated recipes: BBQ Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad, Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad, and Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad.
Have you made this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe? 💚
Leave a review, and don’t forget to tag me in your creations on Instagram and Facebook! @lifeinthelofthouse! #ChickenCaesarPastaSalad #LifeInTheLofthouse
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 lb. cooked chicken breast, sliced or diced (we prefer to use grilled chicken. I season it with lemon-pepper seasoning.)
- 3 large heads Romaine lettuce (rinsed, dried then chopped)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced
- 1 cup seasoned croutons
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Homemade Caesar Dressing
- 1 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- juice of 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons anchovy paste
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
For The Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Cook pasta in a large pot of water until al dente. Drain water then rinse noodles under cold water to let cool.
- In a large serving bowl, combine cooked chicken, tomatoes and cooled pasta. Chill until ready to serve. When ready to eat: add the chopped romaine lettuce, croutons and as much or little Caesar dressing you prefer to bowl. Gently stir to combine everything. Top with Parmesan cheese. Serve and enjoy!
For The Homemade Caesar Dressing
- Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients. Cover and chill in fridge until ready to use.
Notes
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE FOR LATER?
PIN IT TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST FOOD BOARD! 📌
This recipe looks so yummy! Your home made dressing sounds yummy and easy too!
Made this last week and hubby and I enjoyed it much. We used our own Caesar dressing. It’s a quick meal when you don’t have a lot of time.
Made with vegan cesar dressing and was still amazing!!!
Yay! So great to hear 🙂
Can I used minced anchovies instead of the paste ?