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Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Bowl

Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad - featured image
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This hearty pasta salad combines juicy roasted chicken, crisp romaine, rotini pasta, and a creamy Caesar dressing for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner. It’s quick to make, packed with protein, and perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked rotini pasta (about 8 oz dry)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, sliced or shredded
  • 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
  • 1/3 cup shaved parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup croutons
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente.
  2. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water. Set aside.
  3. If starting with raw chicken, rub with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, or until juices run clear. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice or shred.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated parmesan, Dijon mustard, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and salt until smooth and creamy.
  5. Chop romaine lettuce and halve cherry tomatoes. Shave or grate parmesan cheese. Prepare croutons if making homemade.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, chicken, lettuce, and tomatoes.
  7. Pour in the creamy Caesar dressing and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  8. Sprinkle with shaved parmesan and croutons just before serving.
  9. Transfer to a serving bowl or plates. Garnish with extra parmesan and cracked pepper.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and croutons. For vegetarian, substitute chicken with roasted chickpeas or white beans. Add croutons just before serving to keep them crunchy. The salad holds up well for meal prep; store components separately and toss together before serving. Use fresh garlic for best flavor, and cool pasta before mixing to prevent wilting lettuce.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken caesar pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, easy dinner, meal prep, potluck salad, Caesar dressing, rotini salad

Find it online: https://tomyumy.com/creamy-chicken-caesar-pasta-salad-bowl-recipe-for-easy-dinner/