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Chicken Caesar pasta salad in a large white bowl with romaine, crispy bacon, croutons, and shredded Parmesan

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Tender seasoned chicken, crispy bacon, and short pasta tossed in a bold creamy Caesar-ranch dressing with crunchy romaine and two kinds of Parmesan. A hearty, flavor-packed salad ready in 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breasts or tenderloins diced into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp poultry seasoning cajun or lemon pepper recommended
  • 8 bacon strips diced
  • 1 lb short pasta rotini or fusilli
  • 12 oz romaine lettuce chopped, add just before serving
  • 1/2 cup garlic butter croutons partially crushed, add just before serving
  • 1 tsp salad supreme seasoning Perfect Pinch brand recommended
  • 1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmesan plus more for topping
  • 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
  • 1/3 cup ranch dressing
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for cooking chicken
  • 1 cup mayonnaise full-fat recommended
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 small garlic cloves chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano about 0.8 cups
  • 1/3 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Large pot
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Colander
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Season the diced chicken liberally on all sides with the poultry seasoning until every piece is well coated.
  2. In a skillet over medium-low heat, cook the diced bacon until crispy on both sides, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Remove most of the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving just a thin film.
  3. In the same skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Set aside to cool slightly.
  4. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water until completely cooled.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Caesar dressing, ranch dressing, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chopped garlic, lemon juice, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt, and black pepper until smooth and fully combined.
  6. Add the cooled pasta, cooked chicken, crispy bacon, shredded Parmesan, and salad supreme seasoning to the dressing bowl. Toss gently until every piece is evenly coated. If planning for leftovers, do not add romaine or croutons yet.
  7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. When ready to serve, add the chopped romaine and partially crushed croutons, then top with extra shredded Parmesan and a pinch of salad supreme seasoning.

Notes

Croutons and romaine must always be added just before serving to stay crisp. For meal prep, store the dressing, pasta mix, romaine, and croutons in separate containers and assemble before eating. Rotisserie chicken can be substituted to skip the cooking step. Add cherry tomatoes, olives, or avocado for a customized twist. Storage: pasta mix keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days without romaine or croutons. Freezing is not recommended.