Can I use a different pasta shape in this recipe?

Absolutely! While rotini works wonderfully because its spirals catch the dressing, any medium pasta shape like penne, farfalle (bow ties), or fusilli works great too. The key is choosing a shape with nooks and crannies to hold onto that delicious Caesar dressing.

How can I make this salad healthier?

Several easy swaps can lighten this dish! Try whole wheat or protein pasta for added nutrients, use light Caesar dressing, reduce the amount of bacon, and add extra vegetables like cherry tomatoes or cucumber. You could also use Greek yogurt-based Caesar dressing for fewer calories.

Will the lettuce get soggy if I make this ahead of time?

The lettuce will eventually soften if mixed with dressing for too long. If you're preparing this salad in advance, keep the lettuce separate and add it just before serving. Alternatively, use romaine hearts (the crunchier inner leaves) which hold up better over time.

Can I use pre-cooked chicken from the store?

Definitely! Rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken strips are perfect time-savers for this recipe. I often grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store when I'm in a hurry. It's juicy, flavorful, and makes this recipe even faster to prepare.

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

Description

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a delicious and hearty twist on the classic Caesar salad, combining tender pasta, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, crunchy croutons, and fresh Romaine lettuce, all tossed in creamy Caesar dressing and finished with grated Parmesan. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, meal prep, or a satisfying main course meal, this salad is quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Pasta & Proteins

- - 2 cups rotini pasta
  - 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
  - 1 cup bacon, cooked & chopped

Produce

- - 4 cups Romaine lettuce, chopped

Dressing & Toppings

- 1 cup Caesar dressing (more or less to taste)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup croutons

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool it quickly and prevent further cooking. Set aside for later use.
Prepare the Chicken: If you haven’t done so already, cook your chicken using your preferred method (grilling, baking, or using rotisserie chicken). Allow the chicken to cool slightly, then shred or cut it into bite-sized pieces to make mixing easier and ensure even distribution.
Cook the Bacon: Cook the bacon in a skillet or in the oven until it is crispy and golden. Drain the excess fat and transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Once cooled, chop or crumble the bacon into small pieces.
Mix the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped Romaine lettuce, prepared chicken, and chopped bacon. Pour Caesar dressing over the mixture and add in the grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Adjust the amount of dressing to your preference.
Final Touches: Just before serving, add the croutons to the salad and gently toss to combine. This helps keep the croutons crispy and prevents them from getting soggy.
Serve: Serve the salad immediately, garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese if desired. If not serving right away, keep croutons separate and add just before serving to maintain their crunch.

Notes

Best enjoyed fresh. If storing leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days; store croutons separately for freshness.
Can be made ahead: Prepare pasta, chicken, and bacon in advance. Assemble the salad and add croutons right before serving.
Substitutions: Use any bite-sized pasta shape like penne or bowties instead of rotini. Substitute chicken with shrimp or tofu for a different protein.
Veggie additions: Enhance your salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, or avocado for more texture and color.
For extra flavor, marinate chicken in Caesar dressing before cooking.
Pre-cooked bacon bits can be used for convenience.
To prevent pasta from sticking, add a drizzle of olive oil to the boiling water.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
Calories: 408 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 848 mg
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
Trans Fat: 0.02 g
Carbohydrates: 16 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 21 g
Cholesterol: 60 mg