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 mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time35 minutes mins
Course: Main, Salad
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Caesar pasta salad, chicken Caesar pasta salad, grilled chicken Caesar salad
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 609kcal
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
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.
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.
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- 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:
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