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Home » Recipes » Chicken and Poultry

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

Published: May 12, 2022 · Modified: Aug 5, 2022 by Bowl Me Over · Leave a Comment

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Easy to make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe is quite literally a classic chicken caesar salad filled with tender pasta! Turning this iconic chicken salad into a pasta salad instantly turns this into a comfort-food classic!

Next time try this Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad.

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad on plate with fork.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe   
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions 
  • Equipment
  • FAQ's
  • Tips
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Related recipes
  • Serve with
  • Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Why you'll love this recipe   

✔️  Your favorite side dish with pasta!

✔️  It's easy to make and delicious.

✔️ Reduce the overall recipe time by easily preparing certain salad ingredients and storing them a day in advance!

Ingredients

Ingredients to make pasta salad recipe. With print overlay.
Ingredients for Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

  • cooked chicken - leftover cooked chicken, lemon pepper chicken - either would be delicious!
  • Rotini noodles
  • cherry tomatoes, roma or a large tomato
  • black olives
  • crisp romaine lettuce
  • red onions or green onions
  • croutons
  • shredded Parmesan cheese - I've even used cheddar cheese in a pinch.
  • though you can make a homemade dressing, store-bought Caesar salad dressing works just great!
  • salt and pepper

Instructions 

Instructions to make cheddars chicken caesar pasta salad recipe. With print overlay.

This is an overview of the instructions for the Caesar Pasta Salad scroll down to the bottom!

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions to al dente, drain. Allow to cool completely, refrigerate.
  2. Dice the chicken breasts. Slice the olives, dice the onions and tomatoes. Chop the lettuce.
  3. When the pasta has cooled completely, combine with the chicken, tomatoes, olives, lettuce and onion in a large mixing bowl. 
  4. Toss with the creamy caesar dressing and stir well to combine. Top with Parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper if desired.
  5. Prior to serving add the croutons and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

Equipment

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  • Colander
  • Large mixing bowl

FAQ's

Can I make this chicken caesar pasta salad in advance?

Cook and drain the pasta, refrigerate overnight to allow it to cool. The onions and tomatoes can be diced and sliced in advance.

Is there a specific way to cook and prepare the chicken?

No, not at all. While I've chopped the chicken, shredded chicken also works. Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken.

Can I make this chicken caesar pasta salad gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use gluten-free pasta and croutons (store-bought or made from gluten-free bread).

Large mixing bowl filled with Cheddars chicken caesar pasta salad.
Cheddars’ Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Tips

  • Serve this pasta salad immediately once assembled to preserve the crispy lettuce and crunchy croutons. Never leave the salad sitting at room temperature when not in use.
  • Romaine lettuce is great for this pasta salad since it’s quite robust and won’t wilt as quickly as other lettuce leaves do. 
  • You may need to mix in additional dressing after storing this pasta salad since the pasta will absorb liquid while in storage. 

Variations

  • I’ve used rotini pasta for this chicken caesar pasta salad but feel free to use any other pasta such as shell pasta, bowtie pasta, rotini, wholewheat pasta for added nutrition, or even gluten free pasta. 
  • Parmigiano-Reggiano is a tasty alternative.
  • This salad is a great excuse to use up any leftover chicken from previous meals that week. Chop or shred your chicken - it’s really up to you!
  • If you enjoy a bit of heat in your food, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder when seasoning the salad. 
  • Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
  • Crispy bacon bits would be delicious!
Salad on plate with fork.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

Storage

Refrigerator - Chicken caesar pasta salad is best eaten fresh, but will keep 2-3 days. Store in an airtight container.

Related recipes

If you’re looking to incorporate more tasty pasta salads into your monthly meal plan, here are some of my favorites:

  • BLT Pasta Salad - An all-time favorite sandwich in pasta salad form, I love this cold pasta salad!
  • Easy Tuna Pasta Salad - Super tasty, this is a great light lunch of side salad.
  • Best Macaroni Salad Recipe - loaded with veggies this easy to make pasta is always a hit!
  • Antipasto Pasta Salad - all the flavors of your favorite Antipasto Platter but in a salad, yum!!
  • This Ham Pasta Salad is always a crowd pleaser, salty ham, cheese and loaded with veggies!

Serve with

This is a super tasty pasta salad recipe! Served as a side, this is great with:

  • Grilled BBQ Tri Tip - this recipe is amazing, super tender and tasty every time!
  • These Grilled Turkey Burgers are extra juicy and SO GOOD!
  • Also delicious with Grilled Shrimp Tacos - choose your favorite!

This makes an easy lunch or light dinner - serve it with some dinner rolls or Cheesy Pizza Hut Breadsticks!

Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️

If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! 

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad on plate with fork.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is one of our families favorite go-to salads in the summer or winter.  You'll love this creamy, delicious salad!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course: Salads, Salads and Pasta
Cuisine: American
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 636kcal
Author: Deb Clark
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment

  • Colander
  • Large Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked chicken diced
  • 16 ounce box Rotinni pasta
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes sliced
  • ½ cup sliced black olives
  • 1 head romaine lettuce chopped
  • ¼ cup red onions or shallots diced
  • 5 ounce package croutons
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1 cup Caesar salad dressing or more
  • salt and pepper to taste

I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package directions to al dente, drain. Allow to cool completely, refrigerate.
  • Dice the chicken. Slice the olives, dice the onions and tomatoes. Chop the lettuce.
  • When the pasta has cooled completely, combine with the chicken, tomatoes, olives and diced onions in a large mixing bowl.
  • Toss with the salad dressing and stir well to combine. Top with Parmesan cheese shavings. Add salt and pepper if desired.
  • Prior to serving add the lettuce and croutons. Stir to combine. Add additional salad dressing if needed. Serve immediately.

Notes

If the pasta isn't completely cooled it will absorb almost twice as much salad dressing. To speed up the cooking process when it's time to prepare the salad, cook, drain and chill the pasta overnight.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is perfect for a barbecue - it's always the first thing gone off the buffet table. It is also terrific for an easy weeknight meal! 

Nutrition

Calories: 636kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 638mg | Potassium: 472mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 640IU | Vitamin C: 11.3mg | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 3.2mg
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About Bowl Me Over

Welcome to Bowl Me Over! My name is Debra and I send warm greetings from sunny California. I am a serious foodie – I’ve been known as the go-to girl in our family for years, catering weddings and anniversary parties. In the summer I help cook mountains of food for our family reunions. Often times things I create end up in a bowl, hence the name Bowl Me Over! Let's stay connected, you can email me at [email protected] and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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