Description
Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is the ultimate easy lunch or dinner recipe packed with juicy grilled chicken, tender pasta, crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, Parmesan cheese, and creamy Caesar dressing. This hearty and refreshing pasta salad is perfect for meal prep, summer gatherings, potlucks, BBQs, and busy weeknight dinners. If you love classic Caesar salad and satisfying pasta dishes, this flavorful high-protein recipe is a must-try.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta Salad
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup Caesar dressing
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup croutons
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Optional Add-Ins
- Cherry tomatoes
- Avocado slices
- Bacon bits
- Red onion slices
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat chicken dry and rub with olive oil. Season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Grill the chicken: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 6–8 minutes per side, until it reaches 165°F (74°C). Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Cook the pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly under cool water.
- Prepare the lettuce: Wash, chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, and pat dry thoroughly.
- Slice the chicken: Cut grilled chicken into thin strips or bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble the base: In a large bowl, combine pasta, romaine lettuce, and Parmesan cheese.
- Add dressing: Pour in Caesar dressing and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat evenly.
- Add chicken: Top the salad with sliced grilled chicken.
- Add croutons: Sprinkle croutons over the salad just before serving.
- Serve: Finish with extra Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper.
Notes
- Cook chicken properly and let it rest before slicing to keep it juicy and tender.
- Keep lettuce dry and crisp to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- Add croutons and dressing just before serving for the best texture and crunch.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling and Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 servings
- Calories: 540 calories
