Description
A comforting mash-up of classic Caesar salad flavors with hearty pasta, perfect for easy weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces short pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken (breast or thighs)
- 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil, for cooking
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
- Cook the chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, add a splash of olive oil. Season your chicken with salt and pepper, then sauté for about 6-7 minutes per side until fully cooked. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before chopping into bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped chicken, greens, cherry tomatoes, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and gently toss until well-coated.
- Garnish: To finish, sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan and a few croutons for an addictive crunch.
- Serve: This dish is marvelous when served right away or can be chilled in the refrigerator for up to two hours.
Notes
Substitutions can include grilled shrimp or chickpeas for a vegetarian option. For a lighter dressing, consider using Greek yogurt mixed with lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Chicken Caesar Salad, Pasta Salad, Weeknight Meals, Easy Recipes, Family Favorites