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Cold Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A close-up of Cold Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad featuring rotini pasta, romaine lettuce, chicken pieces, bacon bits, and grated Parmesan cheese.
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A satisfying, make-ahead pasta salad combining grilled chicken, crisp romaine, Parmesan cheese, and creamy Caesar dressing, perfect served cold for picnics or meal prep.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound short pasta (like rotini or penne)
  • 2 cups cooked, chilled chicken breast, diced
  • 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
  • 1/2 cup Caesar dressing (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1/4 cup croutons (add just before serving)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (for dressing, if making homemade)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (for dressing, if making homemade)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for dressing, if making homemade)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil (for dressing, if making homemade)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until it is al dente. Drain immediately and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process. Toss the cooled pasta with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. If making homemade dressing: Whisk together the Dijon mustard, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the dressing emulsifies.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the chilled pasta, diced chicken, chopped romaine lettuce, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
  4. Pour the Caesar dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
  5. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. This salad tastes best when fully chilled.
  6. Just before serving, toss in the croutons. Serve cold, topped with extra grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • To prevent the salad from becoming soggy when stored, keep the croutons separate and add them immediately before serving.
  • For best results when chilling, use a thick, high-quality Caesar dressing. If the dressing thickens too much after refrigeration, stir in a teaspoon of water or lemon juice to loosen it before serving.
  • You can substitute kale for romaine if you prefer a heartier green that holds up better to chilling.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesfleet.com/cold-chicken-caesar-pasta-salad/