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Tasty Chicken Caesar Pasta

Featured in Pasta Perfection: Simple to Spectacular.

This dish mixes the tasty parts of Caesar salad with the filling goodness of pasta. Bow-tie pasta gets tossed with tasty chicken, fresh romaine, and plenty of Caesar dressing. What really makes it stand out are the homemade garlic bread bits that add nice crunch and extra flavor. You can make it in less than an hour and eat it right away or cool it down for later, so it's great for dinner now or packed lunches tomorrow. The mix of soft pasta, juicy chicken, crisp lettuce, and crunchy bits makes a filling meal that works as your main dish or on the side.
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Updated on Tue, 11 Mar 2025 07:06:51 GMT
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Pin it
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad | linacooks.com

Al dente farfalle and juicy chicken mix with crisp romaine in a creamy, garlicky sauce to create a filling twist on Caesar salad. You'll love how the different textures play together - soft pasta, juicy meat, and crunchy toppings all carrying those familiar Caesar flavors we all crave. It's substantial enough for dinner but also works great when you need to bring something impressive to share at gatherings.

This became what I brought to every backyard party last year when I noticed it stood up to sitting out way better than regular Caesar salad. The pasta actually helps spread the dressing around so you get all that flavor in every bite.

Key Ingredients and Smart Shopping Advice

  • Pasta: Go for farfalle or any short, ridged pasta that'll grab the dressing. I've learned cooking it slightly softer than al dente lets it soak up more flavor
  • Romaine Hearts: Pick ones that feel tight and show no brown spots. After trying lots of greens, I can tell you the hearts stay crunchy much longer than outer leaves
  • Parmesan Cheese: Don't even think about pre-grated stuff. In my years making Caesars, I've found nothing beats the deep flavor of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • Chicken Breasts: Try to get pieces that are similar in size so they cook evenly. I always cut across the grain for more tender bites
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Viral Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad | linacooks.com

Don't skimp on your Parmesan. Just last week I spent extra on aged Parmigiano-Reggiano and wow - that nutty, rich taste totally changed the whole dish.

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Nailing the Pasta:
Start with water so salty it reminds you of ocean water. Cook your pasta about a minute longer than the box says. Run cold water over it after draining, then toss with a little olive oil so it won't stick together. That extra cooking minute really helps the pasta grab more dressing.
Getting the Chicken Right:
Don't be shy with salt and pepper on those chicken breasts. Get your oil hot in a big pan before adding them, then cook until they're golden and done through. Let them sit for 5-10 minutes before cutting so they stay juicy. Cut into chunks at an angle for the tenderest results.
Making Awesome Breadcrumbs:
Drop some butter in a pan over medium heat, throw in minced garlic until you can smell it, then add Panko breadcrumbs. Keep stirring until they turn golden. Add salt and pepper to taste. Make sure they're totally cool before using or they'll lose their crunch.
Putting It All Together:
Grab your biggest bowl and mix your cold pasta, chicken pieces, and torn romaine. Pour in Caesar dressing bit by bit, tasting as you go. You can always add more but can't take it away. Fold in most of your freshly grated Parmesan, saving some to sprinkle on top.

A catering job taught me to always bring extra dressing on the side. Everyone likes different amounts, plus the pasta keeps drinking it up over time.

Balancing Your Textures

Getting this right means watching your temps and textures. Make sure your pasta is completely cold before mixing everything or you'll end up with wilted, sad romaine.

Prep Ahead Tricks

You can get everything ready a day early if needed. Cook pasta, prepare your chicken, make your breadcrumbs. Just keep them all separate in the fridge and throw them together right before it's time to eat.

How to Serve It Right

For the best looking dish, mix everything except those crunchy breadcrumbs, then finish with extra Parmesan shavings and sprinkle the breadcrumbs right before bringing it to the table.

Jazzing Up Leftovers

Give leftovers new life by slightly warming just the pasta and chicken, then serving them over fresh romaine with a new batch of crunchy breadcrumbs.

Wrapping Up: This dish really shows what happens when you blend something traditional with fresh ideas. After making this countless times, I've found the secret is caring for each part properly - from how you cook the pasta to seasoning the chicken just right. It's always a hit whether it's for a casual summer get-together or just Tuesday dinner, and it keeps what makes Caesar salad so good while taking it to another level entirely.

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Best Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad | linacooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I fix this pasta mix ahead?
Sure, you can make it up to 4 hours early and keep it in the fridge. Just add those crunchy garlic bits right before you eat so they stay crispy.
→ What pasta shape works best?
The recipe uses bow-tie pasta, but any medium pasta like penne, spirals, or twists will grab the dressing nicely.
→ Can I use ready-made Caesar dressing?
Sure, grab your favorite Caesar dressing from the store to save time, though making your own will taste better.
→ Why cool the pasta with water?
Cooling the pasta with water stops it from cooking more and keeps it from getting soggy in your salad.
→ Can I use store-bought chicken?
Definitely! Grabbing a ready-cooked rotisserie chicken saves tons of time. Just tear or cut it into small chunks.

Chicken Caesar Pasta Mix

An exciting blend of traditional Caesar flavors with pasta, tender chicken, crunchy romaine, and homemade garlic bread bits in rich, creamy sauce.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Pasta

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Mediterranean-American

Yield: 8 Servings (10 cups salad)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Core Ingredients

01 1 pound chicken breasts without skin or bones
02 1 pound dry pasta (bow-tie works best)
03 3 hearts of Romaine (12 ounces), chopped roughly
04 1 1/2 cups Caesar dressing
05 Parmesan cheese for garnish
06 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 Table salt and coarse black pepper

→ Crunchy Garlic Topping

08 1 tablespoon butter
09 2 cloves garlic, crushed or finely chopped
10 1/2 cup Panko crumbs
11 Table salt and coarse black pepper

Instructions

Step 01

Fill a big pot with water and put it on high heat. Add a good handful of salt to give your pasta extra flavor while it cooks.

Step 02

In a wide pan, melt the butter over medium flame. Throw in garlic, cook for a minute, then add breadcrumbs with a dash of salt and pepper. Stir frequently until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Empty into a bowl and clean your pan.

Step 03

Sprinkle your chicken with salt and pepper generously. Warm olive oil in the same clean pan until it's hot and shiny. Cook each side 4-5 minutes until fully done. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then cut into small chunks.

Step 04

Drop pasta into the bubbling water and cook until tender but still firm. Drain and wash with cold water until completely cool.

Step 05

Grab a huge mixing bowl and throw in your cold pasta, lettuce pieces, chicken chunks, and Caesar dressing. Mix gently so everything gets covered evenly.

Step 06

Sprinkle your garlic breadcrumbs on top, add plenty of Parmesan, and crack some fresh pepper over everything. Eat right away or keep cold for up to 4 hours.

Notes

  1. For scratch-made Caesar sauce, multiply your recipe by 1.5 to get enough.
  2. You can make this up to 4 hours before your meal and keep it in the fridge.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big cooking pot
  • Wide frying pan
  • Strainer
  • Roomy mixing bowl
  • Knife and cutting surface

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has gluten in pasta and breadcrumbs
  • Contains milk products in Parmesan cheese