Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
A delightful Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad that combines the classic flavors of Caesar salad with hearty pasta, perfect for any meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups diced chicken (tenderloins or chicken breasts)
- 4 slices bacon (or turkey bacon)
- 8 ounces short pasta (fusilli or rotini)
- 4 cups romaine lettuce (chopped)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly shredded or grated)
- 1 cup croutons (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon salad supreme seasoning (optional)
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
- 1/2 cup Ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking)
- 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning (or Cajun/lemon pepper)
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Gather all ingredients, dice chicken, chop lettuce, and cook pasta until al dente.
- Cook the Bacon: Heat olive oil in a skillet, add bacon, and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Cook the Chicken: In the same skillet, add chicken with remaining bacon grease, sprinkle with seasoning, and cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes.
- Mix the Dressings: In a large bowl, combine Caesar and Ranch dressings until well mixed.
- Toss in the Pasta: Rinse cooked pasta under cold water, add to the bowl with the dressing, and toss to coat.
- Combine the Salad: Add chopped romaine, cooked chicken, and crumbled bacon to the pasta and toss until combined.
- Add Cheese and Croutons: Fold in Parmesan cheese and croutons, adjusting seasoning as necessary.
Notes
Best served fresh, but can be made ahead of time. Keep pasta separate from dressing and lettuce until serving to prevent sogginess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, pasta salad, easy recipes, quick meal, comfort food