This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
If you love chicken Caesar salad then you’ll love this creamy chicken Caesar pasta salad! It’s loaded with chicken, romaine lettuce, pasta, tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and a creamy homemade Caesar dressing. Perfect for summer barbecues, picnics, and potlucks!
If you love Caesar salads, then you have to make my grilled chicken Caesar salad!
Thanks to American Dairy Association Mideast for sponsoring this post. For more information about dairy nutrition, to find delicious recipes and to meet Ohio and West Virginia dairy farmers, visit www.Drink-MIlk.com, and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.
Why you’ll love it
Homemade Caesar dressing – Caesar salad dressings are generally high in calories and fat, traditionally contain raw eggs, and anchovies. If you’re wanting something a little lighter and without the risk of salmonella, you’ll love this homemade Caesar dressing.
It uses Greek yogurt and a small amount of mayo to make it thick and creamy. Greek yogurt is a great way to keep dressings creamy, without a lot of added fat and calories. Greek yogurt contains 9 of dairy’s essential nutrients and gives the dressing a boost of protein.
Summer pasta salad – This is a great pasta salad for summer! It’s cold, creamy, and full of fresh and flavorful ingredients. It’s perfect for taking to barbecues, picnics and potlucks.
Family-friendly – Chicken Caesar salad is generally one kids enjoy and they’ll love it even more with the addition of the pasta. This pasta salad works great for lunch, dinner, or a side dish.
The ingredients
- Pasta – I recommend using rotini, fusilli, or penne pasta.
- Chicken – Cooked chicken breasts or thighs can be used. I like to use the grilled chicken from this grilled chicken Caesar salad for extra flavor.
- Romaine hearts – Romaine hearts are extra crisp and hold up well in the pasta salad.
- Cherry tomatoes – Add a pop of sweetness to the pasta salad.
- Caesar dressing – My homemade Caesar dressing uses Greek yogurt to keep it lighter in fat and calories, higher in protein, and makes the dressing super creamy!
- Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan cheese from the block is a must for the best flavor.
How to make Caesar dressing
This healthy Caesar dressing is so easy to make! Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and whisk them together until they’re combined.
Caesar dressing will keep for a week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Make it ahead of time to cut down on prep time the day you make the pasta salad.
How to make chicken Caesar pasta salad
Cook the pasta according to package instructions then drain and rinse it under cold water. Add the pasta to a large serving bowl.
Add the romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and chicken in with the pasta. Pour in half of the Caesar dressing to start, along with all of the parmesan cheese.
Toss the salad together until it’s coated in the dressing. Add more of the dressing until it’s the consistency that you like. Taste the salad for seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed.
Variations and substitutions
- If you don’t like mayo, replace it with more Greek yogurt in the Caesar dressing.
- Swap romaine lettuce with kale.
- Add croutons for a crunchy element.
- Make the Caesar pasta salad vegetarian and omit the chicken.
Make it ahead
Parts of this Caesar pasta salad can be made ahead of time. The Caesar dressing can be made several days ahead of time. The chicken can be cooked 2-3 days in advance and the lettuce and tomatoes can be chopped 1-2 days in advance.
I suggest waiting to cook the pasta and grate the cheese the day you plan to eat it.
Storage
This creamy pasta salad with chicken is best eaten the day it’s made. However, the leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Be aware that lettuce will wilt and get soggy the longer it sits.
More pasta salad recipes
- Berry Pesto Pasta Salad
- Tomato Avocado Pasta Salad
- Greek Orzo Salad
- Tomato Corn Pasta Salad
- Strawberry Chicken and Spinach Pasta Salad
Did you make this chicken Caesar pasta salad? I’d love if you’d leave a recipe rating and review below.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Caesar Dressing
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt reduced-fat or whole milk are best
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- 12 ounces uncooked fusilli pasta
- 2 cooked chicken breasts chopped
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl and whisk together until combined.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water.
- Add the pasta to a large serving bowl along with the chicken, romaine lettuce, and tomatoes.
- Pour in half of the Caesar dressing and all of the Parmesan cheese. Toss together until everything is coated in the dressing. Add additional dressing if desired. Taste for seasoning and serve or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
