Description
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a fresh and flavorful dish combining tender sautéed chicken, al dente pasta, crisp Romaine lettuce, creamy Caesar dressing, and crunchy garlicky breadcrumbs topped with Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner, it can be served immediately or chilled for a refreshing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Pasta and Vegetables
- 1 pound uncooked pasta (farfalle recommended)
- 3 Romaine lettuce hearts (12 ounces), roughly chopped
Dressing and Toppings
- 1 1/2 cups Caesar dressing
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- Fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Breadcrumbs: Melt the butter over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Add the pressed garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring frequently to release its aroma. Then, add the Panko breadcrumbs along with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until the breadcrumbs turn golden and crispy. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. Clean the sauté pan briefly.
- Cook Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in the sauté pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until fully cooked through and no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken and let it rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until just al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta through a colander and rinse with cold water to chill.
- Assemble Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chilled pasta, chopped Romaine lettuce, sliced chicken, and Caesar dressing. Gently toss until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve: Plate the salad and garnish with the crispy garlic breadcrumbs, plenty of Parmesan cheese, and a few extra twists of freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 hours and serve chilled.
Notes
- This recipe uses creamy Caesar dressing and Parmesan cheese to deeply enrich the flavors.
- The crunchy garlicky Panko breadcrumbs add a delightful texture contrast.
- Refrigerating the salad for a short period allows the flavors to meld and serve it chilled if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6th to 1/8th of the recipe)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
