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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A flexible and satisfying pasta salad featuring chicken, fresh greens, and a creamy Caesar dressing, perfect for busy nights or meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 8 oz short pasta (rotini, penne, or shells) Cooked al dente
Chicken Ingredients
  • 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or cubed) Leftover grilled chicken, roasted thighs, or store-bought rotisserie chicken work well.
Dressing and Seasoning
  • 1/4 cup Caesar dressing Store-bought or homemade
  • 1 tbsp olive oil For tossing with warm pasta
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice For brightness
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan Add more to taste
  • to taste salt and pepper For seasoning each layer
Optional Add-ins
  • 1 cup chopped romaine or spinach For extra greens
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved For freshness
  • 1/4 cup croutons For crunch

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cool water.
  2. In a large bowl, toss the warm pasta with olive oil and lemon juice to prevent sticking.
  3. Season the bowl with salt and pepper before adding in the chicken and two thirds of the dressing.
  4. Fold in optional greens and vegetables gently.
Serving
  1. Just before serving, drizzle the remaining dressing, a squeeze of lemon, and sprinkle with fresh parmesan.
  2. Add croutons last to maintain their crunch.

Notes

For meal prep, store pasta and chicken separately from the dressed salad. Add greens and remaining dressing just before serving to prevent sogginess.