Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Let’s put a spin on a classic Caesar salad by making it with hearty tender chicken, rotini pasta, and Pearls Garlic Stuffed Specialties Olives for a wholesome meal.
Disclosure: This post is a sponsored post on behalf of Pearls. As always, all opinions are my own.
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It’s not just a Caesar salad and it’s not a pasta salad either.. It’s both! Now you can have two of your favorite dishes all in one recipe to bring to bbq’s, picnics, and potlucks all summer long. I’m partnering with Pearls Olives to add a kick of boldness to this dish with their Pearls Specialties Garlic Stuffed Olives. These gourmet olives are hand-picked from the Mediterranean region and hand-stuffed with garlic for ultimate crunch. They may be added to a dish or grazing board as is, or simmered in a medley with other ingredients to amplify the overall flavors of the dish. They’re an easy addition that make meals, snacks and entertaining even better.
Ingredient Notes
Chicken Breast – Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts for ease of preparation. You can either grill, bake, or pan-sear them. Shredded rotisserie chicken is another favorite way to add chicken to this salad.
Pasta – Use any short pasta variety like penne, fusilli, farfalle, or rotini. Whole wheat pasta is great for a meal that is higher in fiber and gluten-free pasta is a wonderful option for those sensitive or intolerant to gluten.
Caesar Dressing: This homemade Caesar dressing will make you wonder why you’ve never made it yourself before! It’s so easy to whip up and tastes 100x better. You can obviously use store-bought Caesar dressing especially if you need this salad thrown together in a pinch.
Romaine Lettuce – Fresh and crisp, Romaine lettuce adds a delightful crunch to the salad.
Parmesan Cheese – Grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty and nutty flavor to the salad.
Croutons – For that classic Caesar salad crunch, homemade or store-bought croutons will work here. If you want to make your own, tear a loaf of rustic bread into bite size pieces and arrange it onto a baking sheet. Drizzle the bread with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Bake at 400F for 6-10 minutes. Pull the croutons out when they are done according to your preference.
Olives – Pearls Specialties Garlic Stuffed Olives are added for a fun crunch. Slice or dice them before adding to the salad to get a taste in every bite.
Optional Additions – Feel free to customize your salad with ingredients like bacon bits, avocado slices, roasted vegetables, or changing up the protein (salmon, steak, etc.).
FAQs
1. Can I make this salad ahead of time? Absolutely! You can prepare the dressing, cook the chicken and pasta ahead of time and assemble them just before serving to maintain the freshness and crunchiness.
2. Can I use a different protein instead of chicken? Of course! Grilled shrimp, salmon, or roasted chickpeas are excellent alternatives for chicken in this salad.
3. Is it necessary to use anchovies in the dressing? While anchovies add a distinct umami flavor to the Caesar dressing, you can omit them if you’re not a fan. Alternatively, you can use anchovy paste for a milder flavor or replace with 1 tablespoon of worcestershire sauce.
4. How long does this salad keep in the fridge? Unfortunately, once the salad is tossed in the dressing, it will not stay fresh the next day. It is best consumed within the first few hours. If you would like to keep some for the next day, I advise that you store ingredients separately and only toss everything when you are ready to serve it.
If you love this pasta salad, check out a few of my favorite dishes!
Chicken Enchiladas With Green Chile Sauce
Roasted Tomato Soup With Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo
Crock-Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
If you make this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I’d love to hear what you think about it, or better yet, see what you’re cooking! Tag me on Instagram, @fettysfoodblog with your creation.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 8 ounces dry rotini or penne pasta
- 1½ to 2 cups diced chicken breast
- 2 romaine lettuces chopped into bite-size pieces
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup croutons
- 1 cup Pearls Specialties Garlic Stuffed Olives sliced
For the Caesar Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 anchovy fillets packed in oil
- 2½ tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain well and set aside.
- To make the dressing, add all of the dressing ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until it's smooth and creamy.
- Place the cooked pasta, romaine lettuce, chicken, Parmesan, croutons, and olives in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to combine. Add more dressing according to preference.
- Serve immediately.
