10-Minute Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is so quick to make and so delicious you will put this cold pasta salad into your regular rotation for lunches, parties, picnics and bbqs!
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This delish cold pasta salad comes together in just minutes with just 6 ingredients! Cold chicken breast, Caesar dressing, croutons, Parmesan cheese and romaine lettuce are all you need to enjoy this perfect summer side dish. There isn’t a whole lot to this cold pasta salad recipe, but it is a fan favorite. We make this chicken caesar pasta salad for every party we host, and it is routinely one of the first items to be completely eaten.
Also, don’t be put off by the pre-made dressing. I know I tend not to use such items, but in this case, it is fresher and higher quality than most. (No sponsored post here, I just love certain refrigerated dressings and the Litehouse Caesar dressing is a fantastic prepared option).
A Cold Pasta Salad You can Warm up? Yep.
Meant to be eaten cold, this chicken caesar pasta salad can also be eaten warmed up. Yeah, I have been known to microwave it so the Parmesan cheese melts together. Uh huh, and guess what? The dressing is amazing warm too.
Recently I posted a Baked Chicken Caesar Pasta with a buttery cracker crust that we make often. I also mentioned that there was a cold version of the dish that is a regular in our rotation, and is so easy to make that we love making it for any occasion — this is it! We also love other cold pasta salads like Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad and Antipasto Pasta Salad.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Topping Ideas:
- Buttery Crisp Topping: Add the buttery cracker crust instead of croutons.
- Cheesy Chicken Caesar Pasta: Skip the romaine lettuce and croutons and microwave. Crumble croutons over it.
- Brighten the flavors: Squeeze of lemon juice to brighten flavors!
- More Protein Options: Swap out the chicken for steak or shrimp!
- Grilled Salad: Add grilled romaine lettuce and charred lemons (this is SO flavorful!)
Homemade Caesar Dressing Recipe:
Add all the ingredients to a small food processor until smooth and creamy.
- 3 cloves garlic, cut into quarters
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 4 anchovy fillets
- 3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts cooked and cut into chunks
- 1 pound bowtie pasta
- 6 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 6 ounces Parmesan Cheese
- 1 1/2 cups caesar dressing
- 1 cup croutons
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water for one minute less than the directions on the box.
Let cool slightly for 3-5 minutes.
- Add the dressing, chicken, cheese and black pepper (to taste).
- Toss together, top with croutons and Parmesan cheese.
This post was originally published on August 18, 2015
I made this today… it was absolutely delicious!!!
So glad you enjoyed it, Lisa!
Hi
I can hardly wait to start cooking. We r going on a camp out with our grandchildren, age 5 and 7. They love to try new things and I think aom or these recipes will be a great hit.
Sounds like a great idea for a campout dish! Hope your family enjoys it!
I use shrimps instead of chicken. I believe this is going to be great. Thanks again for your time and help with dinner and dessert.
You’re welcome Mimi!
This looks heavenly! I really want to try your salad recipe!
I hope you enjoy it!
I love how easy and amazing this salad is!! Can’t wait to try it!!
Enjoy!
Looks delicious and I love how easy it is!
Thank you! It really is easy!
This pasta salad looks amazing!
It’s a win all around! Lunch or dinner.
Thank you Des!
What a great idea! I love pasta and caesar salads.
Thanks Jacque!
I love everything about this. Pasta and Caesar Salad are two of my favorites, so together is the perfect meal for me.
Love a great pasta salad and yours looks terrific! Thanks for stopping by #TryaBiteTuesday and sharing your delicious recipe! Pinned and shared – hope to see you back this week!
Thanks so much Debra! Definitely!
I did something similar to this earlier this summer. It was such a refreshing meal idea!
Awesome!
Oh my Yum!! This looks super easy and delicious! I think my kids would eat it!! I know I would!
It is dangerously good, I could eat the whole platter of it!
This looks sooo good! I love chicken caesar salad but never thought to make it into a pasta dish. I have to try this, I know my husband and even the kids will love it as long as there’s extra parm!
Oh yes, 6 full ounces of it!
What an easy recipe! My family would like this.
Fabulous! I am adding this meal to my routine when I need a quick dinner fix.
Thanks! I hope you love it!
Man that is a good looking last picture right there. I’d love to try the pasta salad.
Thanks Rose Marie!
Oh yummy! My whole family would adore this. What a nice addiction to my dinner rotation. Perfect for lunch, too!