Go Back
Creamy chicken Caesar pasta salad in a large white bowl with romaine, rotini, Parmesan, and garlic croutons

Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A fresh, crunchy, and creamy chicken Caesar pasta salad packed with protein, ready in under 30 minutes, and perfect for healthy meal prep all week long.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast chopped into bite-sized pieces; rotisserie chicken works great
  • 8 oz rotini or penne pasta cooked al dente, rinsed under cold water
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped into roughly 1-inch pieces
  • 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the salad
  • 1 cup garlic croutons add just before serving to keep crunchy
  • 0.5 cup plain Greek yogurt for the dressing
  • 2 tbsp olive oil for the dressing
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice for the dressing
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard for the dressing
  • 1 garlic clove minced or finely grated, for the dressing
  • 1 tsp anchovy paste optional, adds classic Caesar depth
  • 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese for the dressing
  • 1 pinch salt to taste
  • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk or fork
  • Sharp knife and cutting board
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse immediately under cold running water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta down. Set aside in a colander to drain fully.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, anchovy paste (if using), and grated Parmesan until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper. Adjust thickness with a splash of water or lemon juice if too thick, or more Greek yogurt if too thin.
  3. Chop the cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and the romaine lettuce into roughly 1-inch chunks. Prep any optional add-ins like cherry tomatoes or cucumbers.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped chicken, and romaine. Pour the dressing over and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add the garlic croutons and toss once more. Reserve a handful of croutons for garnish on top.
  5. Serve immediately for the best crunch, or divide into airtight containers for meal prep. Always add croutons just before eating to keep them crispy.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water right after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent mushiness. Use leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken for convenience. If the salad seems dry the next day, stir in an extra spoonful of Greek yogurt and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving. Croutons should always be stored separately and added at the last minute. Not recommended for freezing as lettuce and dressing do not freeze well.