Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Chicken Caesar pasta salad is a complete meal using leftover roast chicken, crisp romaine, pasta, and the best creamy, garlicky homemade dressing.
Servings 4 servings
Ingredients
Caesar Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 ½ tablespoons anchovy paste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Pasta Salad
- 8 ounces pasta of choice
- 2 cups cooked chicken meat shredded
- 1 romaine heart chopped
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Combine all the dressing ingredients including ¾ cup mayonnaise, 3 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon lemon juice,1 ½ tablespoons anchovy paste, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard and ¼ teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Cook the 8 ounces pasta of choice according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta slightly. Toss the pasta with ¼ cup of the Caesar dressing while it is still slightly warm to touch so it absorbs the flavor.
- Add the diced 2 cups cooked chicken meat to the dressed pasta. If it appears a little dry, add a few tablespoons of the dressing. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the dressed pasta and chicken with Caesar dressing and chopped 1 romaine heart and remaining Caesar dressing. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Add grated ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese on top. Squeeze a little 1 lemon juice over the salad for extra brightness.
Notes
Storage: Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best texture, keep the lettuce separate and add it just before serving. Freezing isn’t recommended due to the mayo dressing and romaine, but cooked pasta and chicken can be frozen separately for up to 2 months.
Helpful Tips:
- Dry romaine lettuce thoroughly with a salad spinner or clean kitchen towel so the dressing clings well and the salad doesn't become watery.
- Toss warm pasta with dressing so it better absorbs the flavor and doesn't clump as it cools. If you're too nervous about using the Caesar dressing for this purpose, drizzle some olive oil and toss the pasta.
- Cool the pasta completely before adding lettuce to avoid wilting the greens prematurely.
- Toss the cubed chicken in a small amount of dressing before adding to the salad to boost flavor and moisture. It can get a little dry (especially when served cold) so I like to give it extra dressing.
Nutrition
Calories: 664kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 20g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 587mg | Potassium: 446mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2575IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 129mg | Iron: 2mg