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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 7 reviews

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish combining tender seasoned chicken, crispy bacon, al dente rotini pasta, and crisp romaine lettuce, all tossed in a creamy Caesar-ranch dressing blend. Perfect for a satisfying lunch or a light dinner, it balances savory, tangy, and crunchy elements with a homemade dressing featuring garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken & Seasoning

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breasts or tenderloins, diced
  • 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning (such as Cajun or lemon pepper)

Bacon

  • 8 strips bacon, diced

Pasta & Greens

  • 1 lb short pasta like rotini or fusilli
  • 12 oz romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/2 cup garlic butter croutons, partially crushed

Cheese

  • 1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
  • 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Seasoning & Dressing Mix

  • 1 teaspoon salad supreme seasoning (Perfect Pinch brand), or to taste
  • 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
  • 1/3 cup ranch dressing
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Homemade Dressing Ingredients

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 3 small garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice

Additional Seasoning

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Season the Chicken: Liberally season the diced chicken pieces on all sides with your chosen poultry seasoning, such as Cajun or lemon pepper, to infuse them with flavor.
  2. Cook the Bacon: Heat a skillet over medium-low heat and add the diced bacon. Cook until crispy on both sides. Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Discard most of the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving just a little for cooking the chicken.
  3. Sauté the Chicken: Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet and cook the chicken pieces about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring they are fully cooked and juicy.
  4. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente following the package instructions. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
  5. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, cooked chicken, crispy bacon, shredded Parmesan, salad supreme seasoning, Caesar dressing, and ranch dressing. Gently toss to combine. Avoid adding the romaine lettuce and croutons at this stage if you plan to have leftovers to prevent wilting and sogginess.
  6. Prepare for Serving: When ready to serve, add chopped romaine lettuce and partially crushed garlic butter croutons to the salad. Top with extra freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and a sprinkle of salad supreme seasoning for enhanced flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Do not mix romaine lettuce and croutons into the salad if you plan to store leftovers, as lettuce will wilt and croutons will become soggy.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano for the best flavor.
  • You can substitute poultry seasoning with lemon pepper or Cajun seasoning as preferred.
  • Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be safely cooked.
  • For a lighter version, use low-fat mayonnaise and lighter dressings.
  • Serve chilled or at room temperature for best taste.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, Caesar pasta salad, chicken pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, rotini salad recipe

Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/chicken-caesar-pasta-salad-recipe-2/