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Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Creamy chicken Caesar pasta salad in a large bowl topped with croutons, Parmesan, and chopped romaine
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A fresh, crunchy, and creamy chicken Caesar pasta salad perfect for healthy lunch meal prep. Keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days and packed with 28g of protein per serving.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (280g) cooked chicken breast, chopped
  • 8 oz (225g) rotini or penne pasta, cooked al dente
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped into roughly 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup garlic croutons (add just before serving)
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, minced or grated
  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water for at least 30 seconds to stop cooking. Set aside to cool completely.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, anchovy paste if using, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. If too thick, thin with cold water or extra lemon juice one teaspoon at a time until it coats a spoon and pours easily.
  3. Dice cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Let cold chicken rest at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before using. Chop romaine into 1-inch pieces. Slice any optional add-ins.
  4. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, chicken, and romaine. Pour dressing over and toss gently to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add croutons and toss once more lightly. Reserve a few croutons for garnish if desired.
  5. Serve immediately for best texture, or divide into 4 airtight containers for meal prep. Store croutons separately and add just before eating. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.

Notes

  • Always rinse pasta under cold water after draining to stop cooking and prevent mushiness.
  • Add croutons only just before serving – they will become soggy if stored in the salad.
  • Rotisserie chicken saves time and works perfectly in this recipe.
  • Anchovy paste is optional but adds classic Caesar depth. Leave it out for a milder dressing.
  • Store dressing separately during meal prep to keep romaine crisp longer.
  • Do not freeze – lettuce and yogurt dressing do not freeze well.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/creamy-chicken-caesar-pasta-salad/