Description
A delightful twist on the traditional Caesar salad, this recipe combines tender grilled chicken, al dente pasta, crisp romaine, and a creamy Caesar dressing for a satisfying and flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced horizontally into 1/2-inch thick cutlets)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for grilling)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
- 1 tsp salt (for pasta water)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp water or milk
- 1 head romaine lettuce (chopped)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup croutons
- 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced, optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat chicken cutlets dry, season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, grill in 2 tbsp olive oil for 4-6 minutes per side (until 165°F), rest 5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil rotini or penne in salted water until al dente, drain, rinse with cold water, and optionally toss with 1 tbsp olive oil.
- Make the Caesar Dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper; thin with water or milk if needed.
- Assemble the Salad: Combine cooled pasta, grilled chicken, chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, and red onion in a large bowl, toss with Caesar dressing, and top with croutons, extra Parmesan, and parsley.
Notes
For a quicker chicken option, use shredded rotisserie chicken. The Caesar dressing can be made a day ahead. To keep croutons crisp, add them just before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg