Description
Hearty chicken caesar pasta salad elevates classic caesar flavors into a complete meal. Cool summer dish combines crisp romaine, grilled chicken, and creamy dressing for satisfying dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 pound uncooked pasta (farfalle recommended)
- 3 Romaine lettuce hearts (12 ounces), roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups Caesar dressing
Cheese and Seasonings:
- 1 ounce (28 grams) Parmesan cheese for topping
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fine sea salt
- Freshly-ground black pepper
Garlic Breadcrumbs:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- Fine sea salt
- Freshly-ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a generously salted large pot of water to a rapid boil over high heat, preparing for pasta cooking.
- Create crispy garlic breadcrumbs by melting butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for 1 minute, then incorporate breadcrumbs with a seasoning of salt and pepper. Toast for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, stirring consistently. Remove breadcrumbs to a separate bowl and clean the pan.
- Season chicken breasts thoroughly with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in the same pan over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until fully cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Allow chicken to rest 5-10 minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook pasta in boiling water until perfectly al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Immediately drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to halt cooking and cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chilled pasta, crisp chopped lettuce, sliced chicken, and Caesar dressing. Gently toss ingredients to ensure even coating and distribution of flavors.
- Garnish the salad with the prepared garlic breadcrumbs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and cracked black pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- Salt the pasta water generously to infuse flavor deep into the pasta, creating a more delicious base for your salad.
- Toast breadcrumbs carefully to achieve a perfect golden crunch without burning, which adds amazing textural contrast to the creamy salad.
- Let chicken rest after cooking to lock in juices, ensuring each bite remains tender and moist throughout the dish.
- Rinse pasta with cold water thoroughly to stop cooking and prevent clumping, keeping noodles separate and perfectly chilled for the salad.
- Customize protein by swapping chicken with grilled shrimp, roasted tofu, or crispy chickpeas for diverse dietary preferences.
- Prepare salad ahead of time by storing dressing separately to maintain crisp lettuce and prevent soggy textures before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 85mg