Dessert

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

ByElena Hart November 2, 2025November 2, 2025

Introduction

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a fresh, flavorful twist on a classic Caesar salad. Creamy, tangy dressing coats tender pasta, crisp Romaine, and shredded chicken for an easy, satisfying meal perfect for lunch or a light dinner.

Two white bowls filled with a layered salad are placed on a white marbled textured surface. Each bowl contains a base layer of light green chopped lettuce, followed by a layer of twisted pale yellow rotini pasta scattered evenly. On top, there are chunks of light brown cooked chicken and golden brown croutons spread throughout. Thin slices of pale yellow cheese are sprinkled over everything, with a light sprinkle of black pepper visible. A white small bowl with thinly sliced cheese is placed to the upper right of the bowls. A silver fork is placed inside the top bowl, and a woman's hand is holding the fork. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup mayonnaise

2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon anchovy paste

1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
8 oz. uncooked pasta (rotini or penne works well)
2 hearts of Romaine lettuce

Shredded rotisserie chicken or chopped cooked chicken breasts
Croutons (optional)
Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Make the dressing by whisking together Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, minced garlic, and anchovy paste in a medium bowl until smooth and well combined.
Step 2: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Set the dressing aside.
Step 3: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl.

Step 4: Chop the Romaine hearts into 1-inch pieces and add them to the bowl with pasta. Add the shredded chicken.
Step 5: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to combine everything evenly.
Step 6: If desired, add croutons for crunch and sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top. Serve immediately or refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.

Tips & Variations

Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture in both the dressing and garnish.
Substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise to lighten the dressing without sacrificing creaminess.
Add cherry tomatoes or sliced cucumbers for extra freshness and color.

For a vegetarian option, omit the chicken and anchovy paste, and add roasted chickpeas or tofu.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To keep it fresh, add croutons just before serving. If the pasta absorbs too much dressing after storing, toss with a little extra mayonnaise or lemon juice before serving.

How to Serve

The dish shows a close-up of a pasta salad with three main layers: a base of short, spiral-shaped rotini pasta colored pale cream, mixed throughout with bright green leafy romaine lettuce pieces, and scattered golden-brown crunchy croutons on top. There are also small chunks of white chicken meat and thin, larger off-white slices of parmesan cheese spread evenly across the salad. The entire dish is lightly covered in a creamy white dressing with black pepper sprinkled over, all set against a white marbled texture background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, any sturdy pasta shape like fusilli, farfalle, or shell pasta works well because they hold the dressing nicely and mix well with the other ingredients.

How long will the salad keep once mixed?

The salad is best eaten within 1 to 2 days. After that time, the lettuce may wilt and the pasta can become mushy. Storing components separately can help maintain freshness.