• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Fantabulosity logo

  • Start Here
    • About Jessica
    • Newsletter
    • Contact Me
    • Collaborate
    • Resource Page
    • Press
  • Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Appetizers
    • Desserts
      • Cupcakes
      • Cakes
      • Cookies
      • Dessert Salads
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Salad Recipes
      • Savory Salads
      • Pasta Salads
      • Dessert Salads
    • Snacks
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Oven Baked
    • No Bake
    • Smoked Recipes
  • Entertaining
    • Holidays
      • Valentine’s Day
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Easter
      • Fourth of July
      • Mother’s Day
      • Father’s Day
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
    • Birthday
    • Adult Themes
    • Girls Night
    • Kids
    • Gift Ideas
  • Home
    • Organization
      • Home Management Binder
      • Organize Your Life – Trello Training
      • Printables
    • Cleaning
    • “Must-Have” Products
    • DIY & Crafts
    • Decorating
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion & Beauty
      • Mom Fashion
      • Makeup + Beauty
      • Hair
      • Trunk Club
      • Kids
    • Blogging
      • Blog Mentor Services
      • How to Start a Blog Class
      • Grow Your Blog Video Course
    • Self Improvement
      • Marriage
      • Health + Fitness
      • Parenting
    • Travel
    • Family + Friends
  • Shop
    • Printables & Cookbook
    • Shop my Instagram
    • My Favorites
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Start Here!
  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • For the Home
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes

    Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

    By: Jessica · Posted: Jun 18, 2021 · Updated: Jun 30, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    Total Time: 12 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

    A delicious and easy chicken caesar pasta salad recipe that uses simple ingredients, with “shortcut” options to get dinner on the table even faster! Definitely one of our favorite salad recipes to date!

    Time Saver: Chicken, pasta, lettuce, parmesan cheese, and caesar dressing are all it takes to make this chicken pasta salad! Save even more time by using rotisserie chicken and a caesar salad kit!

    Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe

    caesar chicken pasta salad recipe in a white bowl on a marble table
    Jump to:
    • Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe
    • How do you make a Caesar salad better?
    • Expert tips and FAQ’s
    • How to make this recipe
    • What else can I add to Caesar salad?
    • What to serve with Chicken Caesar Salad
    • More Pasta Salads
    • Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

    I have a feeling you’re also going to love this tuna macaroni salad if you love recipes like this one!

    How do you make a Caesar salad better?

    A regular caesar salad can be a great side dish idea but if you want to kick things up a notch, adding cooked pasta to it, can not only add a beautiful touch but it adds an amazing texture!

    Add chicken to your caesar salad and it’s now packed with protein, making it a main dish recipe that’s something you can add to your meal planner!

    More Salad Recipes You’ll Love:

    • This Italian Chopped Salad is similar but uses a different dressing and different pasta.
    • It’s the most shared salad recipe (visited over 250,000 times a year) but can quickly turn in to a main dish by adding protein!
    • This Thai salad with noodles is a twist on a pasta salad that can be enjoyed as a quick dinner or even lunch!
    • This shrimp macaroni salad is absolutely delicious and super easy to make!

    Expert tips and FAQ’s

    If you love speeding things up in the kitchen, this recipe is the PERFECT dinner idea to use shortcuts on!

    What kind of chicken should I use for caesar salad?

    Rotisserie chickens are a quick way to add shredded chicken. Or, you can use pre-cooked diced chicken, canned chicken or leftover chicken.

    What kind of lettuce should I use for caesar salad?

    The most popular type of lettuce to use is chopped romaine. However to speed things up you can use a caesar salad kit from the grocery store!

    What is the best caesar dressing?

    If you’re using a caesar salad kit, the dressing usually comes with it and this usually has a great flavor. However, brands such as Ken’s Steakhouse Caesar and Newman’s Own Caesar are great brands as well. If you prefer homemade, you may love this homemade caesar dressing.

    labeled ingredients for chicken caesar pasta salad

    How to make this recipe

    Scroll down to see the full printable recipe card that you can save for later! However I love to walk you through with photos and tips to help you make it the best chicken caesar pasta salad!

    Rotini noodles

    Although I used rotini noodles in this recipe, you can use other types of noodles such as:

    • bowtie pasta (or farfalle)
    • penne
    • ditalini
    • elbow pasta
    • or pasta of your choice!

    1 cup uncooked rotini (or desired noodle type)

    Cook the pasta according to directions on the package or box that the pasta came in. (Al dente) Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.

    cooked rotini pasta pouring in to lettuce

    Cooked Chicken

    If you’re using raw chicken for this recipe, you’ll want to start by cooking it. You can cook it using the Instant Pot, baking it, searing in a cast iron, air frying, grilling, smoking, or boiling!

    You can also use canned chicken, a rotisserie chicken or frozen cooked chicken from the grocery store.

    1 cup cooked chicken

    Shred the cooked chicken or chop in to small, 1-inch cubes for easier eating. If you have warm, cooked chicken that needs shredded, and have a mixer handy, this is a great, fast way to shred chicken. Or, you can use two forks to shred the hot chicken without burning your hands.

    TIP: Hot chicken shreds easier than cold chicken.

    shredded rotisserie chicken in a mixing bowl with a whisk

    Let the chicken cool while you prep the rest of the salad ingredients.

    Romaine lettuce

    I’ve found that romaine works best for caesar salads but feel free to use leaf lettuce or head lettuce if that’s all you have on hand. Those may have more of a bitter taste for this salad so romaine is ideal but it’s definitely not a must.

    2 stalks of romaine lettuce

    For a salad that will serve 4, as the main dish, you’ll want at least 2 stalks of romaine lettuce. Wash, dry (spin in a salad spinner if you have one), and chop the lettuce in to bite-size pieces, discarding the core.

    Place in a serving bowl that will be big enough to allow room for the pasta, chicken and toppings.

    Or, you can use a caesar salad kit from the grocery store to keep things really easy. You’ll want a kit that’s about 11 oz. (give/take) to get as close to 2 stalks of romaine. (Keep in mind if you use a salad kit, this should come with dressing and parmesan cheese, however you’ll be adding pasta and chicken so ideally you’ll want more dressing, parmesan and croutons than what comes with the kit.)

    chopped romaine lettuce in glass bowl

    Add cold, cooked pasta & chicken

    This is a great time to add the cold, cooked and drained pasta and cooked chicken to the salad.

    Lettuce, pasta and chicken in large glass bowl

    Croutons

    Croutons are completely optional for this recipe but they do add a great texture and flavor! You can even experiment and try flavored croutons like garlic and herb, cheddar, etc.

    1 cup croutons

    Pour 1 cup of croutons on top of the chopped romaine lettuce, chicken and pasta.

    croutons pour in to pasta salad

    Shredded Parmesan cheese

    The parmesan cheese adds the perfect “bite” to a caesar salad and although it can be served without it, I highly recommend using it for a punch of flavor!

    You can buy shredded parmesan in the grocery store, or you can shred or even shave block parmesan for creative flair!

    Note: You can use grated parmesan if that’s what you have on hand.

    1/2 cup shredded parmesan

    Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded parmesan on the top of the lettuce, chicken, pasta and croutons.

    shredded parmesan cheese pouring in to salad

    Caesar Dressing

    You can use store-bought or homemade caesar salad dressing for this recipe. (See tips above for recommended brands and recipes.)

    1 cup caesar dressing

    Right before serving, toss the salad with 1 cup of caesar dressing, until the dressing is evenly disbursed through the salad.

    pouring caesar dressing in to salad

    Black pepper, optional

    If you like the flavor of cracked pepper or black pepper on salad, this is a great addition and adds tons of flavor to a caesar salad!

    Desired amount of pepper

    After tossing with caesar dressing, grind the amount of black pepper that is desired and toss.

    Toss salad to evenly coat

    tossing caesar salad with pasta, chicken and dressing

    What else can I add to Caesar salad?

    If you’re looking for more toppings to add to this salad, here are some great ideas to experiment with:

    • cooked, chopped bacon
    • grilled shrimp
    • steak bites
    • sunflower seeds, hulled
    • chopped carrots
    • tomatoes
    • boiled eggs
    Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe in a bowl with a cloth

    What to serve with Chicken Caesar Salad

    Serving a side dish like focaccia bread with this salad is a great pairing!

    More Pasta Salads

    • Chicken Macaroni Salad
    • Italian Pasta Salad
    • Creamy Cucumber Salad
    • 20+ Cold Pasta Salad Recipes

    This chicken caesar pasta salad recipe originally appeared on Tornadough Alli where I shared this with her audience too!

    Caesar Chicken Pasta Salad

    Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

    Jessica Burgess
    A delicious and easy chicken caesar pasta salad recipe that uses simple ingredients, with "shortcut" options to get dinner on the table even faster! Definitely one of our favorite salad recipes to date!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 7 mins
    Total Time 12 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 512 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 stalks romaine lettuce
    • 1 cup cooked chicken shredded or cubed
    • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan
    • 1 cup uncooked rotini or favorite pasta (see blog post)
    • 1 cup croutons
    • 1 cup Caesar dressing
    • black pepper optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, run cold water over it and drain again. Set aside.
    • Cut up romaine lettuce in to bite-size pieces, discarding the core.
    • In a large bowl, add lettuce, cold pasta, cooked chicken, parmesan cheese, croutons, dressing, and finally, black pepper if desired.
    • Toss to coat salad with dressing.
    • Serve immediately so the lettuce does not get soggy.

    Notes

    What kind of chicken should I use for caesar salad?
    Rotisserie chickens are a quick way to add shredded chicken. Or, you can use pre-cooked diced chicken, canned chicken or leftover chicken.
    What kind of lettuce do you use for caesar salad?
    The most popular type of lettuce to use is chopped romaine. However to speed things up you can use a caesar salad kit from the grocery store!
    What is the best caesar dressing?
    If you’re using a caesar salad kit, the dressing usually comes with it and this usually has a great flavor. However, brands such as Ken’s Steakhouse Caesar and Newman’s Own Caesar are great brands as well. If you prefer homemade, you may love this homemade caesar dressing.
    If wanting shredded chicken, hot chicken shreds easier than cold chicken.
    You can use a caesar salad kit from the grocery store to keep things really easy. You’ll want a kit that’s about 11 oz. (give/take) to get as close to 2 stalks of romaine. (Keep in mind if you use a salad kit, this should come with dressing and parmesan cheese, however you’ll be adding pasta and chicken so ideally you’ll want more dressing, parmesan and croutons than what comes with the kit.)
    Recipe can be forgiving – feel free to add more of your favorite ingredients if desired.
    You can prepare in advance, however wait to add dressing until right before serving.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 512kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 20g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 990mg | Potassium: 153mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 176IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 189mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

    Keywords 3 bean salad recipe, caesar pasta salad, chicken caesar pasta salad, chicken caesar salad
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Did You Make This?
    Snap a pic and hashtag it #Fantabulosity — I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!

    « Mozzarella Wrap with Tomato and Basil
    Pasta with Corn and Tomatoes »

    Filed Under: Pasta Salads, Recipes, Salad Recipes, Savory Salads, Side Dishes

    Get my 5 Secrets to Get Dinner on the Table FAST!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Donna Burke says

      June 18, 2021 at 8:47 am

      5 stars
      Total crowd pleaser! You can’t go wrong with chicken caesar!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        June 18, 2021 at 9:03 am

        Absolutely! I totally agree! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Beth says

      June 18, 2021 at 8:51 am

      5 stars
      What a lovely pasta salad! This looks full of flavor and so yummy. Looks so refreshing and perfect for side with our meal today!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        June 18, 2021 at 9:03 am

        Oh that’s wonderful! Thank you Beth, I’m so glad that you like it!

        Reply
    3. Natalie says

      June 18, 2021 at 10:01 am

      5 stars
      I could eat this everyday! Caesar salad is my favorite & of course, when you add the pasta, it’s even better! Easy, filling, & delicious!

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        June 18, 2021 at 1:47 pm

        Haha!! I totally agree! Thank you so much!

        Reply
    4. Karen Kreutzer says

      December 04, 2021 at 12:30 pm

      Can I use shake Parmesan cheese instead of shredded? I am buy myself so I don’t usually buy the bag of Parmesan or block of Parmesan

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        December 05, 2021 at 11:05 am

        Hi Karen! Absolutely!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Fantabulosity Blog: Lifestyle, Easy Recipes, Home Management

    Hi, I'm Jessica! Are you ready to add simplicity to your busy life? Here you'll find easy recipes, organization hacks, home & entertaining ideas...

    More about me →

    Seasonal Favorites

    • Strawberry Brownies Recipe
    • Shrimp Macaroni Salad
    • The BEST Oreo Dessert
    • Easy Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    Popular Recipes

    • The BEST Hamburgers in the Oven – Gone VIRAL!
    • Bread Pudding Recipe: Easy Old Fashioned Recipe (With Video!)
    • Baked BBQ Pork Steaks Recipe in the Oven
    • The BEST Side Salad Recipe
    • The BEST Fried Shrimp Recipe
    • Fruit Salad with Cool Whip

    Categories

    Fantabulosity Blog Featured On Media

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Jessica
    • Contact
    • Collaborate
    • 5 Secrets to Meal Planning

    Easy Recipes

    • All Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Desserts

    How to Cook

    • Oven-Baked
    • Stove-Top
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot

    Privacy Policy |Accessibility Copyright © 2022 Fantabulosity | Terms & Conditions | FTC