A classic chicken Caesar pasta salad is a quick and delicious way to eat chicken and other vegetables. You can easily customize this pasta salad by using any combination of chicken, tomatoes, croutons, and other ingredients you like. This recipe can also be modified to include shrimp, salmon, steak, or any other type of meat you like. It is a great way to incorporate a different type of dressing if you’d like.
I don’t know a single person that doesn’t enjoy a nice, crisp Caesar salad. Whether you enjoy a dressing rich in anchovies, or you prefer the opposite, theres nothing not to like about fresh lettuce, tomato, shaved Parmesan, croutons and Caesar dressing. Occasionally there are other things added, but that’s the jist of a Caesar salad. This however, is not a Caesar salad recipe. It’s something better that that.
I’ll be honest, I have never had a veggie pasta salad I enjoyed. No matter the dressing , it always tastes dry or chewy. But this pasta salad is just right. The addition of crunchy salad and croutons add a nice texture, along with the chicken in the homemade, rich (low fat and made with tofu) Caesar dressing. It is the perfect side dish or lunch, and would be very crowd pleasing at a potluck.
I saw Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad last week at Whole Foods in the deli case. I tried a sample of it and the pasta was chewy and firm, as if it was either a day old or undercooked. Bleh. I was determined to recreate it, but better. I made a low fat version of the dressing since Caesar dressing is notorious for it’s insane amount of calories. This dressing could be used for a classic Caesar Salad as well. You can make the dressing as the pasta is boiling, and everything else is pretty quick to throw together. I used regular pasta, but if you replaced that with whole wheat then the meal is not bad for you either.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups Bow Tie Pasta cooked and warm
- 2 cups around 8 oz Chicken, cooked and sliced
- 2 Roma Tomatoes diced and seeded
- 1 Garlic Clove mined
- 1/4 cup Green Onions chopped
- 2/3 Parmesan shaved
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Croutons
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp White Pepper
- 1/2 cup Low Fat Caesar Dressing recipe below
Low Fat Caesar Dressing
- 4 oz Firm Tofu
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 1 TBS Lemon Juice
- 1 TBS Honey
- 1 TBS Dijon Mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestshire
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 handful of Parmesan
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Gently toss all ingredients.
Low Fat Caesar Dressing
- Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and combine until creamy and smooth.
- For a silkier texture, strain the dressing (which I did).
Video
Notes
Other recipes
To prepare this recipe, rinse the pasta under cold water. Drain well and then add to a large bowl. Drizzle it with the caesar salad dressing. Refrigerate until ready to serve. For best results, cook the chicken until cooked through. Let it cool down a little before chopping. Combine the pasta with the seasoned chicken, chopped lettuce, tomatoes, croutons, and shredded parmesan, and toss gently.
To make this recipe even more delicious, choose a chicken that is raised on a farm in Canada. You can also use homemade ranch dressing if you don’t want to use the Caesar dressing. This salad is perfect for meal prep. You can also add a few pieces of fruit and berries to your pasta salad to make it more interesting. The flavor combinations in this dish are delicious, and the flavors are not overpowering.
To make the chicken Caesar pasta salad more interesting, you can add different ingredients to your favorite pasta. While the traditional chicken caesar salad ingredients are the most common ones, you can try adding your favorite veggies to this recipe. Corn, olives, and tomatoes are also a good choice. You can also add a few additional pieces of chicken to the salad, as long as you remember to use them sparingly.
You can also make this pasta salad a day in advance. While the recipe is best served the day it is made, leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To make this pasta salad even easier to prepare, you can prepare it a day or two in advance. Just make sure to set aside extra dressing so that you can serve it the next day. This recipe is a healthy, balanced meal, and can be prepared in advance.
You can make this chicken pasta salad up to a day in advance. The salad will be tastier the day it is prepared. However, leftovers can keep in the refrigerator for two to three days. When you are preparing this salad, remember to chill the pasta for at least 30 minutes before serving it to ensure it’s fresh. This is the best way to enjoy the flavors of this salad. Once chilled, it can be enjoyed room temperature or kept in the fridge for 30-60 minutes.
- Other healthy salad recipe Roasted Cauliflower Salad with pine nuts and raisins
When preparing chicken Caesar pasta salad, you can make it a day before you plan to serve it. The salad will be at its best the day you prepare it, but it will last for up to three days in the refrigerator. It is a great salad for a weekday lunch or dinner. It’s the perfect meal for the entire family. And if you’re planning to take it to a party, it is even better if you make it the day before.
