You ever stand in front of your fridge, staring at a bag of romaine and half a rotisserie chicken, thinking, “What am I supposed to do with this?” Been there. And let me tell you—what you need is a little culinary matchmaking. Imagine your favorite Caesar salad having a steamy summer fling with a creamy pasta salad. Yeah, this is their love child.
Say hello to the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad—your new go-to for those nights when you need something fast, filling, and freakin’ delicious. We’re talking 20 minutes flat, minimal chopping, and a creamy homemade Caesar dressing that’s so good, you’ll want to eat it with a spoon. (No judgment.)
This salad’s got it all:
- Tender rotisserie chicken
- Crunchy croutons
- Al dente pasta
- Creamy, zesty Caesar dressing
Whether you’re packing lunch for the office, feeding your hungry teenagers, or trying to impress your in-laws with a “casual but sophisticated” dish at your next BBQ—this pasta salad is a total crowd-pleaser.
And guess what? You probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen right now.
Why This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Slaps
Okay, let’s break down the magic behind this dish.
Texture Heaven
You’ve got the chew of rotini, the crisp of fresh romaine, the crunch of croutons, and that creamy dressing hugging every single bite. It’s basically a party in a bowl.
That Dressing Though
We’re whipping up a simple homemade Caesar dressing—no bottled stuff here. It’s got Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, a little Worcestershire sauce, garlic, mayo, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Anchovy paste? Totally optional. But if you’re feeling bold, go for it. It brings that extra “oomph.”
Chicken That Works for You
Use store-bought rotisserie chicken to save time. Or check out some creative ways to use leftover rotisserie chicken if you’ve got some chilling in your fridge already.
You can also swap in:
- Grilled shrimp (perfect for summer)
- Seared skirt steak
- Roasted salmon
Or hey, go meatless and toss in some grilled tofu or roasted chickpeas!
Perfect for Literally Any Occasion
- Need a quick dinner? Boom.
- Going to a potluck? Done.
- Meal prepping lunches? You’re covered.
- Need a break from leafy-only salads? This is it.
It even works as a side dish for comfort food favorites like Italian meatloaf or crispy breakfast potatoes as a hearty side dish.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
Time Breakdown:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
For the Caesar Dressing:
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional but amazing)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Salad:
- 8 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 2 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
- 2 cups shredded or diced rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup croutons (optional but recommended)
- Extra Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Whip Up the Dressing
Grab a medium bowl and toss in the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire, mayo, garlic, and anchovy paste if you’re using it. Whisk until smooth. Stir in the grated Parmesan and season with salt and pepper. Boom. Dressing done.
Step 2: Boil the Pasta
Cook your rotini (or penne) in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain it and give it a rinse under cold water. This keeps it from getting mushy and cools it down fast.
Step 3: Build the Bowl
In a big ol’ bowl, add your pasta, chopped romaine, and chicken. Drizzle the Caesar dressing over everything and toss until it’s all deliciously coated.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Top with croutons for crunch and a big handful of Parmesan. You can serve it immediately or chill it for later. Either way, it’s gonna be good.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A creamy, zesty mashup of Caesar salad and pasta salad—ready in 20 minutes and packed with rotisserie chicken, crisp romaine, and homemade dressing.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 8 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 2 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
- 2 cups shredded or diced rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup croutons (optional)
- Extra Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, minced garlic, and anchovy paste if using. Whisk until smooth. Stir in grated Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta, chopped romaine, and chicken. Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss to coat evenly.
- Top with croutons and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.
Notes
For best results, keep dressing and salad separate until serving. Anchovy paste is optional but adds depth. Swap protein with shrimp, steak, or tofu for variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 277 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Tips, Swaps & Variations
- Cheesy Tortellini Swap: Want to feel extra fancy? Use refrigerated cheese tortellini instead of rotini.
- Make-Ahead Move: Keep the dressing and salad separate until you’re ready to eat. Nobody likes a soggy Caesar.
- No Anchovy? No Problem: Leave it out! The Worcestershire and garlic still bring major flavor.
- Protein Swap Ideas: Try this with seafood Caesar pasta twist with Italian shrimp or even some seared tofu.
- Vegan/Veggie Hack: Use vegan mayo and dairy-free Parmesan. Boom—plant-based goodness.
And if you’re looking to expand your weeknight dinner game, check out these easy weeknight dinners like enchiladas and pasta salads.
Nutrition Info (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 277 kcal |
| Protein | 15g |
| Carbs | 18g |
| Fat | 15g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Calcium | High |
| Vitamin A & C | Yep, loads from the Romaine! |
Want to try something with even more protein? Take a peek at our alternative protein-packed salad ideas.
What to Serve With It
This pasta salad holds its own, but if you’re going full spread mode, here are a few favorites:
- Pair your pasta salad with fresh Italian bread
- Serve with oven-crispy golden potatoes for a full meal
- Glass of cold lemonade or a crisp white wine? Yes please.
FAQ: You Asked, We’re Answerin
Yes, and it’s glorious. The pasta soaks up the Caesar dressing, making every bite rich and satisfying.
You’ll need cooked pasta, romaine lettuce, rotisserie chicken, Caesar dressing (preferably homemade), croutons, and Parmesan.
Rotini or penne work great. Want to get a little wild? Try cheesy tortellini.
Absolutely. Store the dressing separately and toss everything together when you’re ready to eat. It stays fresh for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Final Thoughts: Salad, But Make It a Meal
This isn’t just another pasta salad. And it’s definitely not just a Caesar salad. It’s the best of both worlds. A creamy, savory, satisfying dish you’ll keep coming back to—especially when you’re short on time and big on hunger.
Serve it cold, serve it warm(ish), serve it in a giant mixing bowl while you binge your favorite show. No judgment.
If you try it, let us know in the comments! And while you’re here, don’t miss out on more delicious ground chicken dishes for variety.
Until next time, keep cooking with joy and remember—salad doesn’t have to be boring. Not on our watch.
For more creative baking inspiration and marketing ideas, explore the Pinterest or connect with us on Facebook.