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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Delicious Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad in 30 Minutes

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a perfect balance of hearty and fresh flavors, ready in just 30 minutes for a delicious meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 2 pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts Use rotisserie chicken for faster preparation.
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil For cooking the chicken.
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder Can substitute with fresh garlic.
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper Adjust to taste.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
For the Salad
  • 8 ounces Pasta (Rotini, Penne or Farfalle) Opt for whole wheat for a nutritious twist.
  • 4 cups Chopped Romaine Lettuce Can mix with other greens.
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Halved.
  • 1 small Red Onion Thinly sliced.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise Greek yogurt can lighten it up.
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1/2 cup Caesar Salad Dressing
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice Freshly squeezed.
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard Omit if unavailable.
  • 1 clove Minced Garlic Use pre-minced for convenience.
For Finishing Touches
  • 1 cup Croutons Keep separate until serving.

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Large Pot
  • mixing bowl
  • Baking Sheet

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Pound the chicken breasts to ½ inch thickness and season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through. Let it rest and then dice.
  2. Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot, add pasta and cook according to package instructions for about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water, then cool on a baking sheet.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, Parmesan, Caesar dressing, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
  4. Once the pasta is cool, add it to the bowl with the dressing and toss to coat. Add in diced chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion, folding gently to combine.
  5. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. If short on time, 10-15 minutes will suffice.
  6. Before serving, sprinkle croutons over the top and toss lightly. Serve chilled with additional Parmesan and cracked black pepper if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 850mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 700IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 180mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Store croutons separately to keep them crunchy. Feel free to customize the greens used in the salad.

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