Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This chicken caesar pasta salad is the perfect lunch or easy dinner idea. It’s quick and easy to put together using leftovers and can be made ahead if needed.
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Soooooooo I am in full on summer mode. And since it is such a hectic time, I am all about delicious yet simpler recipes that come together easily. Which means that this chicken caesar pasta salad is our new summer dinner.
Let me be straight with you – this can be a dinner of leftovers. Yeap, toss leftover chicken and leftover pasta in a creamy caesar dressing, with the lettuce, croutons and Parmesan and boom dinner is on the table.
Sure you can start with some grilled chicken and cook the pasta yourself too. But friends, leftoooooovers, when you have them, are so great.
Table of Contents
Make Ahead Pasta Salad
This chicken Caesar pasta salad is also a great make-ahead meal. Serve it as a side dish or scale up as a main. If you have any extra summer veggies, like juicy tomatoes, grilled corn on the cob kernels, or zucchini, add them all in. The more, the merrier.
And if you love salads, then check out this dill pickle pasta salad and this big ole list of delicious pasta salads.
Fantastic recipe! I adjusted it to add some chicken to it, since I really like chicken. Make sure that the salad bowl you use is big enough to mix everything together before serving. Rebecca
Ingredient Notes
- Uncooked pasta – I tend to use fusilli or rotini, but use any shape you like.
- Leftover white meat – I interchange cooked chicken or cooked turkey meat in this. Use some air fryer chicken breast or air fryer turkey breast or even some crockpot whole chicken shredded up. If you prefer, grab pre-cooked rotisserie chicken whilst grocery shopping.
- Kale – Romaine lettuce is the traditional lettuce used as it holds up well, but I love using massaged kale. Not a fan of kale then use baby spinach.
- Extra virgin olive oil – This helps the pasta not to stick together and also is used to soften the kale so it’s not so bitter.
- Lemon juice and lemon zest – You can use fresh or bottled lemon juice. I do prefer fresh.
- Croutons – Everyone loves the crunchy texture these add to the salad. You can use plain or Italian seasoned croutons.
- Parmesan shreds – or use grated Parmesan to your preference.
- Caesar salad dressing – use your favorite store-bought or feel free to make your own homemade salad dressing.
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How To Make It
Get complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card further below.
- Cook pasta in water with salt according to package directions. Cook it until al dente. Drain the water and then drizzle with a little oil, and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a another bowl, combine the kale with lemon juice and oil. Massage with your hands until the leaves soften and turn a nice vibrant green.
- Now, add the pasta to the bowl with the kale. Stir in the lemon zest, chopped chicken, and Parmesan cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is perfectly coated.
Bintu’s Tips and Notes
- Add in extras – this is such a versatile recipe. Add in extras like tomatoes, roasted peppers, grilled corn on the cob kernels, sliced red onions, capers, and more.
- Vary the protein – Chicken, turkey, shrimp, and crispy air fryer bacon all work here. Feel free to use Instant Pot chicken breast or other leftovers.
- Vary the pasta – You can use whole wheat pasta or gluten free pasta. Not all gluten free pasta works well in cold pasta dishes, so you may have to try it out a few times to get the right brand.
- Need a smaller serving? – Simply halve all the ingredients, and you are good to go.
Storage
- Prep ahead and refrigerate for a few hours until needed. I suggest holding back the croutons and adding them just before you serve them so they don’t go soggy. Also, set aside a few tablespoons of the dressing, add in, and mix just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This salad is the perfect main dish and can be served as is. However, feel free to serve it as a side dish too.
- Goes well with meats like air fryer turkey burgers, grilled chicken tenders, or these grilled chicken thighs.
- This one is a staple alongside summer grilling recipes or these summer dinner ideas.
- Take it to a potluck along with this Italian chopped salad and Greek potato salad.
More Recipes You’ll Like
- Check out this easy Hawaiian pasta salad and this taco pasta salad.
- And if you need more, then this big ole list of delicious pasta salads is for you.
- I love this 5 ingredient cheesy baked ravioli casserole as well as this easy meatball casserole.
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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 10 ounces (285 g) pasta rotini or fusilli or shells
- 2-3 cups (280-420 g) rotisserie chicken cubed or shredded
- 4 cups (120 g) kale stems removed, cut into ribbons or chopped roughly
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil + more for pasta
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 cup (90 g) Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) Caesar salad dressing
- 2 cups (70 g) croutons
Instructions
- Cook pasta in water with salt according to package directions. Cook it until al dente. Drain the water and then drizzle with a little oil, and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a another bowl, combine the kale with lemon juice and oil. Massage with your hands until the leaves soften and turn a nice vibrant green.
- Now, add the pasta to the bowl with the kale. Stir in the lemon zest, chopped chicken, and Parmesan cheese. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is perfectly coated.
Notes
- Add in extras – this is such a versatile recipe. Add in extras like tomatoes, roasted peppers, grilled corn on the cob kernels, sliced red onions, capers, and more.
- Vary the protein – Chicken, turkey, shrimp and crispy air fryer bacon all work here. Feel free to use instant pot chicken breast or other leftovers.
- Vary the pasta – You can use whole wheat pasta or gluten free pasta. Not all gluten free pasta works well in cold pasta dishes, so you may have to try it out a few times to get the right brand.
- Need a smaller serving? – Simply halve all the ingredients and you are good to go.
Ceaser salads are one of my favorite salads. Making it as a pasta salad definitely elevated it and I really enjoyed it