Whip up a 20-minute meal in-a-bowl with a refreshing recipe for Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad starring DIY dressing.
Chicken Caesar salad, meet pasta salad. Pasta salad, meet chicken Caesar salad.
Now that everyone’s acquainted, allow me to introduce you to the greatest matrimony since peanut butter and jelly: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad.
Look at all that goodness in a bowl!
Crisp Romaine lettuce, store-bought rotisserie chicken (time-saver of the century!), crunchy croutons, Parmesan cheese shavings and rotini noodles, all tossed in a creamy homemade Caesar salad dressing.
The anchovy paste is totally optional, although it does give this Caesar its characteristic flavor oomph. But the real secret to the best DIY Caesar salad is the addition of grated Parmesan cheese whisked right into the dressing.
I love dicing up a store-bought rotisserie chicken to make this a complete meal, but you could easily leave out the poultry to make this the ultimate side salad for potlucks, casual weeknight spreads or weekend bashes.
Roasted salmon, grilled shrimp or my personal fave, skirt steak, would also be welcome additions.
To save a few more minutes (from this 20-minute dish!), whip up the dressing and salad separately then stash them in the fridge. When ready to serve, toss ’em together and grab the forks.
I’m no stranger to stellar pasta salads, but this one just gave my Greek Pasta Salad a run for its money on my list of all-time faves!
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Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
For the pasta salad:
- 8 oz. uncooked pasta, such as rotini or penne
- 2 hearts of Romaine
- Shredded rotisserie chicken or chopped chicken breasts
- Croutons (optional)
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
Make the dressing:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire, mayonnaise, minced garlic and anchovy paste until well combined. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and ¼ teaspoon pepper then set the dressing aside while you make the salad.
Make the pasta salad:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large serving bowl.
- Cut the Romaine hearts into 1-inch pieces then add them and your protein of choice to the bowl with the pasta.
- Add the prepared dressing and toss to combine. Add the croutons (optional) and garnish with Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately or refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
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Recipe by Kelly Senyei of Just a Taste. Please do not reprint this recipe without my permission. If you'd like to feature this recipe on your site, please rewrite the method of preparation and link to this post as the original source.
Did I miss where it said how much chicken/protein pairs well with 8 oz of pasta & lettuce? TIA! Gonna give this a go this week!!!
Hi Lori! It totally depends on your protein needs/desires. I usually buy a rotisserie chicken and shred all the meat for 4 medium servings.
Great weeknight meal. Even my husband enjoyed it and he is not big on salad as a meal! Will absolutely make this again.
Woohoo! I’m so thrilled you and your husband enjoyed the recipe, Tiffany!
So you have a recommendation for a substitute for the anchovy paste? I could not find in any stores!
No worries, Lindsay! You can just omit it :)
My store did not have Romaine so I bought a couple Caesar salad kits instead. Really a lot easier that way! Includes the croutons, Parmesan and dressing. Rally good and simple!
This is a great salad, going to have more of it tomorrow as I had leftover lettuce, chicken and dressing!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Sarah!
This salad is Amazing! I have made it twice so far for my husband and myself. I am going to make it this weekend for a get together with with friends. So simple and delicious..OMG!!!
Love reading this, Lisa! I’m so thrilled you’ve been enjoying the recipe!
I made this for a little get-together with neighbors and a couple of their grandkids. Everyone loved this! The kids (8 and 7 years old) even took seconds. And my husband is still raving about the dressing 3 days later. Bottom line: This one’s a keeper!!
Love reading this, LC! I’m so glad everyone enjoyed the pasta salad!
OMG!!!!!! Five stars is definitely not enough stars. It’s my whole families new favorite.
AMAZING! I’m so glad your family enjoyed the recipe, Carole!
We absolutely love this. To keep leftovers from getting soggy, we keep the lettuce and croutons separate and everyone just adds it to their own bowl.
Amazing! I’m so thrilled you’ve been enjoying the recipe, Aimee!