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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad takes a traditional salad and turns it into a hearty and delicious meal. The flavors are so fresh and perfect for Spring and Summer!
When I was a teenager, I worked at a little restaurant that made the best chicken Caesar salad that was actually filling. The secret? They tossed in tender bowtie pasta, which gave the salad a fun twist and turned it into a hearty, entree. Ever since then, this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad has been one of my go-to dinners for my own family.
I love serving salads as main courses, especially when they’re packed with protein and flavor. If you’re a salad lover too, you’ll also want to check out some of our other favorites like BBQ Chicken Salad, Classic Cobb Salad, Café Rio Sweet Pork Salad, Buffalo Chicken Salad, and our mouthwatering Steak Salad Recipe.
🩷 Emily
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
- Farfalle (Bowtie) Pasta – We have used both regular bowtie pasta and mini bowties. Both work great!
- Chicken – For this recipe I love using grilled chicken breasts or even a quick rotisserie chicken. It’s rare that I will use the same kind of chicken twice in a row for this recipe because there are so many options! See below for all the different chicken recipes that can be used for this salad.
- Caesar Salad Dressing – If you are in a hurry and looking for a good store-bought Caesar dressing, Ken’s Steakhouse Creamy Caesar is a solid choice, but if you have the time, I highly recommend making your own! Use the Caesar dressing from our Salmon Caesar Salad recipe and you won’t be sorry!
- Optional Toppings – We usually just add chicken to this salad but sometimes if we want to add more veggies we will add fresh cherry tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, roasted chickpeas, mushrooms, and/or peppers.
- Garnishes – Garnish with fresh Parmigiano Reggiano and croutons to round everything out!
What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?
If you want to switch up the protein in this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, try it with our Baked Lemon Chicken, Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken, Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breasts, Instant Pot Shredded Chicken, Oven Fried Chicken, or Paprika Parmesan Crusted Chicken. It’s also delicious with Air Fryer Salmon, shrimp, or even tri-tip steak if you’re feeling fancy! For a meatless option, try roasted chickpeas or extra veggies like cucumbers, peppers, and mushrooms.
How to Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Cook farfalle pasta (al dente) according to package directions.
- Drain the pasta and run cold water over the cooked pasta until it is cold to the touch. Drain the pasta well.
- Clean and chop Romaine lettuce and place it in a large bowl.
- Add the cooled pasta, grilled chicken, Caesar dressing, and Parmesan cheese to the salad. Toss and serve with croutons on top.
Pro Tips and Suggestions
Salt the Pasta Water Generously – The pasta absorbs flavor as it cooks, so adding plenty of salt to the boiling water is your only chance to season the pasta from within.
Cook the Pasta Al Dente – Overcooked pasta can become mushy and fall apart when tossed with the rest of the salad. Aim for just al dente so each bite keeps its integrity and texture.
Cool the Pasta – If you mix hot pasta directly into the salad, it can wilt the romaine and cause oily separation in the dressing (especially one with mayo). Let the pasta cool first to preserve texture and keep the dressing emulsified.
Make Ahead, But Assemble Just Before Serving – Prep ingredients like pasta, chicken, and dressing ahead of time. Refrigerate pasta with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking, and store dressing separately. Then toss everything together just before serving for the freshest flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once tossed with dressing, it’s best eaten the same day so the lettuce stays crisp. If you want to meal prep, keep the ingredients (pasta, chicken, lettuce, dressing, and toppings) stored separately, and assemble when ready to eat.
Bowtie (farfalle) pasta is a classic because it holds the dressing well, but rotini, penne, or even shells work great too. Just be sure to cook the pasta al dente so it doesn’t get mushy when mixed with the salad.
More Pasta Salad Recipes You Will Love
Now that the weather is warming up, I am always in the mood for a pasta salad! They are perfect for barbecues and picnics and I don’t have to heat up my house by turning on the oven. Plus, I can say I’m eating a salad when I’m really just eating pasta. It’s the best! If you’re looking for other delicious pasta salad recipes, try some of our favorites.
Did you try this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad? We’d love to hear what you think! Leave a rating and comment below, or snap a photo and tag us on Instagram. We love seeing your creations!@favoritefamilyrecipes! 📸🥗
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces pasta (I like to use bowtie)
- 2-3 hearts of romaine (about 10 cups)
- 2 cups boneless skinless chicken breasts (cooked and sliced or shredded)
- Caesar salad dressing (to taste)
- Parmigiano-reggiano (Parmesan cheese, to taste)
- croutons (to taste)
Instructions
- Boil and cook pasta according to package directions.
- When the pasta is cooked, strain it and then run cold water over the pasta until it is cold to the touch. Drain well and set aside. Toss with a little oil if needed to prevent sticking.
- Slice the lettuce and place in a large bowl.
- Add the pasta, chicken, Caesar dressing, and parmesan to the salad. Toss, top with croutons, and serve.
Caesar salad is my FAVORITE. This pasta salad version is yum!
This salad is amazing! So fresh and flavorful, and satisfying without being heavy. Love it!
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. I love the idea of using rotisserie chicken. It makes things much easier.
This looks like the perfect caesar salad! I am going to make it for lunch today- thanks for sharing!
This looks sooo good! I love chicken caesar salad but never thought to make it into a pasta dish. I have to try this, I know my husband and even the kids will love it as long as there’s extra parm!