I just made this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe, and it’s officially my new favorite meal. It combines the classic, savory flavors of a Caesar salad with the satisfying heartiness of pasta, creating a dish that’s both refreshing and filling. The homemade dressing is a game-changer, bringing everything together with its creamy, tangy goodness.

If you enjoy rich and comforting meals, you might also like the Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sausage Recipe for a different kind of hearty indulgence. This recipe is surprisingly quick to assemble, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish. I can’t wait to share how I put it all together.

Ingredients for the Perfect Salad

Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need to create this delicious fusion of two classic dishes.

For the Dressing:

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard – This adds a tangy and sharp flavor that is essential for a classic Caesar dressing.
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice – Freshly squeezed juice provides a brightness that bottled juice can’t match.
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce – This brings a savory, umami depth to the dressing’s flavor profile.
3/4 cup mayonnaise – Use a good quality, full-fat mayonnaise for the creamiest and richest base.
2 teaspoons minced garlic – Freshly minced garlic offers a pungent kick that elevates the entire dressing.
1 teaspoon anchovy paste – While optional, this paste provides the signature salty, savory flavor of traditional Caesar dressing.
1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese – Grating your own cheese from a block ensures it melts into the dressing perfectly, unlike pre-shredded varieties.
1/4 teaspoon black pepper – Freshly ground pepper adds a final touch of mild spice.

For the Pasta Salad:

8 oz. uncooked pasta – Rotini or penne work well as their shapes hold the dressing beautifully.
2 hearts of Romaine lettuce – These provide a crisp, refreshing crunch that is characteristic of a Caesar salad.
Shredded rotisserie chicken or chopped chicken breasts – Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver.
Croutons (optional) – Add these just before serving to maintain their crunchy texture.
Parmesan cheese, for serving – Shaved or grated Parmesan makes a beautiful and flavorful garnish.

Note: This recipe yields approximately 10 servings.

Variations to Try

One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Protein Swaps: If you’re not in the mood for chicken, try grilled shrimp, roasted salmon, or even skirt steak. For a vegetarian option, roasted chickpeas or white beans are excellent additions. You can also enjoy recipes like Sesame Ginger Beef Recipe for a different protein twist.
Pasta Alternatives: For a fun and cheesy twist, substitute the rotini with cheese-filled tortellini. It adds another layer of flavor and texture to the salad.
Make It Lighter: You can substitute the mayonnaise in the dressing with an equal amount of plain Greek yogurt. This will give you a tangier, lighter dressing that is just as delicious.
Add More Veggies: Feel free to bulk up the salad with extra vegetables. Halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onions, or chopped celery would all add extra flavor, color, and crunch.

Cooking Time

This recipe comes together quickly, making it ideal for a fast and delicious meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Equipment You Need

You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this salad.

Large Pot: For boiling the pasta until it’s perfectly al dente.
Medium Bowl: To whisk together all the delicious ingredients for your homemade dressing.
Whisk: For combining the dressing ingredients until they are smooth and creamy.
Large Serving Bowl: To toss the pasta, chicken, lettuce, and dressing together before serving.
Cutting Board and Knife: For chopping the Romaine lettuce and any other fresh ingredients.

How to Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

This recipe is straightforward and involves just a few simple steps. The result is a complete meal in a single bowl that is packed with flavor.

Make the Dressing

In a medium bowl, start by whisking together the Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, minced garlic, and anchovy paste. Continue mixing until all the ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth. Finally, stir in the finely grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper, then set the dressing aside while you prepare the rest of the salad.

Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your choice of pasta and cook according to the package directions, or until it is al dente, which typically takes about 10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly and transfer it to a large serving bowl to cool slightly.

Assemble the Salad

Chop the hearts of Romaine into bite-sized, 1-inch pieces. Add the chopped lettuce and the shredded or chopped chicken to the large bowl with the cooked pasta. Pour the prepared Caesar dressing over the top of the ingredients in the bowl.

Toss and Serve

Gently toss everything together until the pasta, chicken, and lettuce are evenly coated with the creamy dressing. If you’re using croutons, add them now, along with a garnish of extra Parmesan cheese. You can serve the salad immediately or cover and refrigerate it until you are ready to eat.

Additional Tips for Making this Recipe Better

After making this a few times, I’ve discovered a few tricks that take this salad from great to absolutely incredible.

I highly recommend making the dressing a few hours ahead of time. This gives the flavors a chance to meld together, resulting in a much more flavorful and cohesive dressing.
Don’t add the lettuce or croutons until you’re ready to serve. I learned this the hard way. Adding them too early makes the lettuce wilt and the croutons soggy, so I always mix them in right at the end for the best texture.
I like to save a little bit of the dressing to the side. Sometimes, the pasta absorbs a lot of the dressing as it sits, especially if I make it ahead. Having extra dressing to add just before serving ensures the salad is perfectly creamy.
To make this an even more substantial meal, I sometimes add crispy bacon bits. The salty, smoky flavor of the bacon complements the creamy Caesar dressing perfectly.

How to Serve Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

This dish is versatile enough to be served in a few different ways, whether as a main course or a side dish. For a simple lunch or dinner, serve it on its own in a large bowl. For a more elegant presentation at a potluck or gathering, arrange it on a large platter and garnish with extra shaved Parmesan, a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and a few whole croutons on top for a professional touch.

Nutritional Information

Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving for this recipe.

Calories: 277kcal
Protein: 15g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fat: 15g

Make Ahead and Storage

This salad is great for meal prep with a few simple guidelines.

Make Ahead

You can prepare the components separately to save time. The dressing can be made up to three days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pasta can also be cooked, drained, and stored in the fridge a day ahead.

Storing

Once assembled, the salad is best eaten within a day, as the lettuce will start to wilt. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If you plan to store it, consider keeping the lettuce and croutons separate and adding them just before eating.

Freezing

Freezing is not recommended for this recipe. The mayonnaise-based dressing and the fresh lettuce will not hold up well in the freezer, and their textures will be compromised upon thawing.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are many reasons why this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is sure to become a favorite in your household.

Quick and Easy: This entire meal comes together in just 20 minutes, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you need something delicious and fast.
Full of Flavor: The homemade Caesar dressing is incredibly creamy and packed with savory, tangy flavor. It elevates simple ingredients into a truly satisfying and impressive dish.
Completely Customizable: You can easily swap out the protein, add extra vegetables, or use a different type of pasta. This recipe is a great base for your own creative additions.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether you need a simple family dinner, a dish to bring to a potluck, or a satisfying make-ahead lunch, this salad works for almost any situation.

Ash Tyrrell