Description

This quick and satisfying salad combines tender pasta, juicy chicken, and creamy Caesar dressing for an easy lunch or meal prep option. It stays flavorful when chilled and is perfect for busy weekdays.

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups cooked pasta (penne, rotini, or bowtie)

2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

2 cups chopped romaine lettuce

3/4 cup Caesar dressing

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup croutons

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes (optional)

1/4 cup bacon bits (optional)

1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water.

2. Dice or shred cooked chicken and season lightly with lemon juice and black pepper.

3. Chop romaine lettuce into bite-size pieces and keep chilled until ready to mix.

4. In a large bowl, toss pasta with Caesar dressing until evenly coated.

5. Add chicken, lettuce, Parmesan, and cherry tomatoes and toss gently.

6. Sprinkle croutons and bacon bits over the top just before serving.

7. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes to let flavors meld.

8. For meal prep, store lettuce and croutons separately and combine just before eating.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: salad
Method: mixing
Cuisine: american

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 550
Fat: 18
Saturated Fat: 5
Unsaturated Fat: 10
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 45
Fiber: 3
Protein: 25
Cholesterol: 60

Keywords: chicken caesar pasta salad, creamy chicken caesar pasta salad, pasta caesar salad, caesar salad pasta, chicken caesar salad pasta, easy lunch recipe