Description
A refreshing and hearty Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combining al dente whole wheat fusilli, tender cooked chicken breast, crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy croutons, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, all tossed in a creamy homemade Caesar dressing. Perfect for quick lunches or light dinners, this salad serves 6 and can be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 8 ounces whole wheat fusilli pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)
- 12 ounces cooked chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables and Garnishes
- 1 romaine lettuce heart, chopped (about 8 ounces)
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- ¾ cup croutons
- â…“ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing
- 1 batch Homemade Caesar Dressing (recipe not included, but typically includes garlic, anchovies, egg yolk or mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, salt, and pepper)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat fusilli pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside.
- Prepare Chicken: Cook the chicken breast using your preferred method such as Instant Pot, slow cooker, or oven until fully cooked and tender. Once cooked, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Make Caesar Dressing: Prepare the homemade Caesar dressing if you haven’t done so already. This dressing typically involves blending garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and mayonnaise or egg yolk with olive oil and seasoning to create a creamy, flavorful dressing.
- Assemble Salad: In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked chicken pieces, chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, croutons, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle the homemade Caesar dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Serve the salad cold or at room temperature for a delicious, balanced meal.
Notes
- For a lighter option, use low-fat or Greek yogurt-based Caesar dressing instead of traditional.
- Whole wheat pasta adds extra fiber and nutrients compared to regular pasta.
- Chicken can be grilled, roasted, or cooked in an Instant Pot depending on your preference.
- Salad can be refrigerated for up to 1 day; add croutons just before serving to keep them crunchy.
- You can add extras like sliced avocado or bacon bits for additional flavor.
