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Caesar pasta salad made with a homemade Caesar dressing, grilled chicken and shaved Parmesan.
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5 from 1 vote

Caesar Pasta Salad with Grilled Chicken

This Caesar Pasta Salad is a fresh, flavorful twist on the classic Caesar salad. Tender spiral pasta is tossed with crisp romaine, and a creamy homemade Caesar dressing (no mayo here!), then topped with juicy grilled chicken and Parmesan shavings.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Main, Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Caesar pasta salad, chicken Caesar pasta salad, grilled chicken Caesar salad
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 609kcal

Ingredients

For the Caesar Dressing:

For the Grilled Chicken:

For the Salad:

  • 1 head of romaine lettuce chopped
  • 8 oz spiral pasta such as fusilli, cooked and cooled
  • Shaved or grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Instructions

Make the Caesar Dressing:

  • In a small food processor, add the anchovy fillets, egg, garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire, and Tabasco (if using).
  • Pulse until everything is finely blended and the mixture begins to emulsify.
  • Add the grated Parmesan and a few grinds of black pepper, then pulse again just to combine.
  • With the motor running, slowly stream in the olive oil to create a smooth, creamy dressing.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then transfer to a jar or bowl and chill for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors marry.

Prep and Grill the Chicken:

  • Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets. Place between plastic wrap or parchment and gently pound to an even thickness.
  • Season the chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika. Rub the mixture all over the chicken cutlets.
  • Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 3–4 minutes per side or until cooked through with visible grill marks.
  • Transfer to a plate, let cool completely, then slice or chop into bite-sized pieces.

Cook the Pasta:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside to cool completely.

Assemble the Salad:

  • In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine, cooked pasta, and grilled chicken.
  • Drizzle Caesar dressing over the top and gently toss everything to combine.
  • Garnish with shaved Parmesan and serve.

Notes

    • Make ahead: You can grill the chicken and cook the pasta up to 3 days in advance. Keep them chilled, separately until ready to use.
    • Dressing timing: For the freshest texture, toss the salad with dressing right before serving. That said, I’ve tossed everything together a few hours ahead, and it holds up well for about 1–2 days. After that, the lettuce can start to wilt.
    • Let the chicken rest: After grilling, let the chicken cool completely before slicing. This keeps the juices in and makes it easier to chop cleanly.
    • Try it with:
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Nutrition

Calories: 609kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 24g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 842mg | Potassium: 464mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 876IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 100mg | Iron: 2mg