Description
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines tender penne pasta, flavorful cooked chicken, crisp Romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and plenty of Parmesan cheese, all tossed together with creamy Caesar dressing to create a delicious and satisfying salad perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 8 ounces penne pasta - cooked to al dente
- 2 cups cooked chicken - shredded or chopped
Salad Components
- 6 cups Romaine lettuce - chopped
- 2 cups croutons
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese - freshly shredded or grated
Dressing
- 1 cup Caesar salad dressing - homemade or store-bought
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes depending on the brand. Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
- Prepare the chicken: Use pre-cooked chicken that is shredded or chopped into bite-sized pieces. Ensure the chicken is cooled if recently cooked.
- Toss the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked chicken, chopped Romaine lettuce, and croutons. Add the Caesar dressing and mix gently to evenly coat all ingredients.
- Add cheese and serve: Sprinkle the freshly shredded Parmesan cheese over the salad and give it one last gentle toss. Serve the salad immediately to maintain the crispness of the lettuce and croutons.
Notes
- For best texture, serve the salad immediately after adding the lettuce and croutons to prevent sogginess.
- You can substitute rotisserie chicken for convenience and great flavor.
- If you prefer a lighter salad, use a low-fat Caesar dressing.
- Homemade Caesar dressing is recommended for authentic flavor, but store-bought works well for quick preparation.
- To add extra freshness, consider including cherry tomatoes or cucumber slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
