Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Think of everything you love about Caesar salad—crisp lettuce, crunchy croutons, salty parmesan, creamy dressing—and add pasta! That's exactly what makes this easy salad so downright delicious. Even better, if you're short on time, you can take a few smart shortcuts to get this salad on the table in a flash.

Instead of homemade dressing, use 2 1/2 cups of your favorite bottled dressing. Toss in chopped leftover or rotisserie chicken and store-bought croutons, and you're good to go. This pasta salad is great for a quick weeknight dinner, a tailgate, or a potluck, and the leftovers pack up nicely for lunch the next day. After all, who doesn't love a pasta salad?

What kind of dressing do you use for chicken Caesar pasta salad?

Bottled dressing is easy, but this homemade Caesar dressing is worth a little extra effort. It's made with mayonnaise, garlic cloves, anchovies (optional, but savory and delicious!), capers, fresh lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, and parmesan cheese for that classic Caesar flavor. To loosen it up a little, whisk in a splash of whole milk so the dressing coats every nook and cranny of the pasta.

Which type of pasta is best for chicken Caesar pasta salad?

Any short pasta shape will do. Medium or small shell pasta is easy to scoop up with a fork, but you could use similar varieties like farfalle (bow ties), rotini, or orecchiette.

What kind of chicken goes into this pasta salad?

This recipe calls for three cups of cubed, seared chicken breast. To make the chicken, rub three boneless, skinless chicken breasts with vegetable oil and season them with salt, pepper, and paprika. Melt two tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until deeply golden and the internal temperature is at least 165 degrees, about five to seven minutes per side. You can also use leftover chopped or shredded roast chicken or grilled chicken for this salad.

What's the best kind of cheese for Caesar pasta salad?

Parmesan is the classic cheese for Caesar salad. It's salty, savory, and has a hard texture that adds some bite to the creamy pasta salad. You could also substitute grated or shaved pecorino romano or grana padano, which are similar to parmesan in taste and texture.

Can I use something other than chicken for Caesar pasta salad?

If you're not a fan of chicken or don't have any on hand, you can easily substitute cooked shrimp or steak bites. Or keep things vegetarian and use chickpeas or a can of your favorite beans. White beans would add to the hearty, creamy texture.

Should you let pasta cool before making pasta salad?

Absolutely! The pasta should be cool when you combine it with the dressing and other ingredients. To cool things off quickly, rinse the cooked pasta with cold water after draining it. This also helps prevent sticking and stops the noodles from overcooking so every bite is perfectly al dente.

Can I make chicken Caesar pasta ahead of time?

Once you've fully assembled the pasta salad, it should be served immediately. If you'd like to make it ahead, keep the croutons and lettuce separate so they don't get soggy. The rest of the salad will stay fresh in the fridge for up to three days. Simply toss in the croutons and lettuce just before serving.