Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad takes everything you love about Caesar salad and turns it into the pasta dish of the summer.
Author’s Notes
When Caesar Salad Met Pasta Salad
I make a lot of pasta salads, so when I say this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is one of the best on the internet, I mean it.
Caesar is always a hit at my house, whether it’s my Chicken Caesar Smash Tacos or this pasta salad version. It’s everything you love about a Caesar salad (crisp lettuce, creamy dressing, salty cheese, juicy chicken) tossed with tender pasta and crunchy croutons.
It’s fresh, filling, and incredibly flavorful, aka the pasta salad you’ll want to bring to every BBQ, picnic, or serve as a last-minute dinner.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quick Tip / Swap |
|---|---|
| Pasta | Pick short shapes with ridges so the dressing clings better. |
| Romaine Lettuce | Dry really well so the salad doesn’t get watery. |
| Chicken | Grilled breast or rotisserie works great! Cut into small pieces so it mixes in better. |
| Mayo | Use a mayo you like, since the flavor really comes through in the dressing. |
| Anchovy Paste | Adds that classic Caesar flavor without tasting fishy, don’t skip it! |
Caesar Salad Pasta Salad Tips
- Make the dressing early and chill it. This makes it way more flavorful!
- Salt the pasta water so the pasta (and salad as a whole) has more flavor.
- Let the pasta cool all the way before mixing it with lettuce.
- Dry the lettuce well before assembling. Wet leaves won’t hold the dressing.
- Make from-scratch croutons if you have time. They add great crunch and flavor.
Storage
Once mixed, this salad is best eaten right away! To make ahead or for meal prep: keep the pasta, chicken, lettuce, and dressing in separate containers in the fridge. Mix just before eating and add croutons last so they stay crisp.
More Pasta Salad Recipes:
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Marry Me Chicken Pasta Salad
Healthy
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
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Asian Pasta Salad
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Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
