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.
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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
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
This is an overview of the instructions for the Caesar Pasta Salad scroll down to the bottom!
- Cook pasta according to package directions to al dente, drain. Allow to cool completely, refrigerate.
- Dice the chicken breasts. Slice the olives, dice the onions and tomatoes. Chop the lettuce.
- When the pasta has cooled completely, combine with the chicken, tomatoes, olives, lettuce and onion in a large mixing bowl.
- Toss with the creamy caesar dressing and stir well to combine. Top with Parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper if desired.
- Prior to serving add the croutons and stir to combine. Serve immediately.
Equipment
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FAQ's
Cook and drain the pasta, refrigerate overnight to allow it to cool. The onions and tomatoes can be diced and sliced in advance.
No, not at all. While I've chopped the chicken, shredded chicken also works. Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken.
Absolutely! Use gluten-free pasta and croutons (store-bought or made from gluten-free bread).
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!
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!
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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Equipment
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
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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.
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