This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a delicious and satisfying twist on the classic Caesar salad! It combines tender pasta, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, crisp romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and crunchy croutons, all tossed in a creamy Caesar dressing. I love how this recipe is both easy to make and packed with flavor. It's perfect for a quick lunch, a light dinner, a potluck, or a make-ahead meal prep option.
Why You'll Love This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Classic Caesar Flavor: Captures all the delicious flavors of a Caesar salad in a hearty pasta salad format.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in minutes, especially if you use pre-cooked chicken and bacon.
- Hearty and Satisfying: Packed with pasta, chicken, and bacon, this salad is a complete meal.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the ingredients to your liking.
- Perfect for Potlucks: A great dish to bring to potlucks, barbecues, and picnics.
Ingredients for Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Here's what you'll need to make this flavorful salad. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Dry pasta, cooked (Pasta)
- Thick cut bacon; cooked crisp and crumbled (Meat)
- Cooked rotisserie chicken, roughly chopped (Meat)
- Red onion, thinly sliced (Vegetable)
- Shredded Parmesan cheese (Dairy)
- Chopped romaine (or green leaf, lettuce) (Vegetable)
- Caesar dressing (Condiment)
- Croutons (optional) (Bread)
Seasoning
- Bacon grease
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Pepper (Spice)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Pasta: Use any type of short pasta you like, such as rotini, fusilli, or shells.
- Add More Vegetables: Toss in some cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, or bell peppers.
- Make it Vegetarian: Omit the chicken and bacon for a vegetarian version.
- Add Different Protein: Use grilled shrimp or salmon instead of chicken.
- Homemade Dressing: Use your favorite homemade Caesar dressing recipe.
How to Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad:
Cook the Pasta
- I cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- I drain it, run it under cold water to stop the cooking, and set it aside.
Cook the Bacon
- I cook the bacon until it's crisp.
- I reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease/drippings.
Toss Pasta with Bacon Drippings
- I transfer the cooled pasta to a bowl.
- I toss it with the reserved bacon drippings until evenly combined. This adds amazing flavor!
Combine Ingredients
- I add in all the other ingredients: chopped cooked chicken, sliced red onion, shredded Parmesan cheese, chopped romaine lettuce, salt, pepper, Caesar dressing, and croutons (if using).
- I stir thoroughly until everything is evenly combined.
Adjust Dressing and Serve
- I add in more dressing if necessary, to taste, and toss everything again to evenly coat.
- I serve immediately.
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Pasta Salad
Here are my secrets for making this pasta salad truly exceptional:
- Don't Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta just until al dente, as it will soften slightly as it sits in the dressing.
- Rinse the Pasta: Rinsing the pasta with cold water stops the cooking process and prevents it from sticking together.
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and adds a lot of flavor.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese has a more intense flavor than pre-shredded.
- Chill Before Serving (Optional): While delicious served immediately, chilling the salad for about 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld together even more.
How to Serve
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is perfect for:
- Lunch: A quick, easy, and satisfying lunch.
- Dinner: A light and flavorful dinner.
- Potlucks and Picnics: Easy to transport and serve at potlucks and picnics.
- Meal Prep: A great option for meal prepping lunches or dinners.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can prepare the pasta, cook the bacon and chicken, and make the dressing ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble the salad just before serving or up to a day ahead (add croutons just before serving if making ahead). Leftover pasta salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
FAQs about Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Can I use a different type of pasta?
- Yes, you can use any type of short pasta you like.
- Can I make this without the bacon?
- Yes, you can omit the bacon for a lighter version.
- Can I use a different type of dressing?
- Yes
Enjoy this quick, easy, flavorful, and satisfying Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad! It's a perfect meal for any time of day.
Print
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Salad, Side Dish, Main Course, Pasta
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a delicious twist on the classic salad, combining tender pasta, crisp romaine lettuce, cooked chicken, crispy bacon, Parmesan cheese, and croutons, all tossed in a creamy Caesar dressing. It's perfect for a light lunch, dinner, or as a side dish for potlucks and barbecues.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry pasta (such as rotini, penne, or fusilli), cooked al dente
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled, reserve 1 tablespoon bacon grease
- 1 tablespoon reserved bacon grease (see notes)
- 1 cup cooked rotisserie chicken, roughly chopped (or other cooked chicken)
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce (or green leaf lettuce)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup Caesar dressing (store-bought or homemade), or more to taste
- 1 cup croutons (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well. Rinse thoroughly with cold water to cool it down and stop the cooking process. Drain well again.
- Cook Bacon: While the pasta is cooking, cook the bacon until crispy using your preferred method (skillet, oven, or microwave). Once cooked, drain on paper towels and crumble or chop it. Crucially, reserve 1 tablespoon of the rendered bacon grease.
- Coat Pasta: In a large bowl, combine the cooled, drained pasta and the reserved 1 tablespoon of bacon grease. Toss gently until the pasta is evenly coated. This adds extra flavor.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the chopped rotisserie chicken, thinly sliced red onion, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped romaine lettuce, and the crumbled bacon to the bowl with the pasta.
- Add Dressing: Pour the Caesar dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Toss Salad: Toss gently until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Season to Taste: Season the pasta salad with salt and pepper to your preference. Taste and add more Caesar dressing if desired.
- Add Croutons (Optional): If using croutons, add them just before serving to maintain their crunchiness. Toss gently one last time.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Pasta: Use a short pasta shape that holds dressing well, such as rotini, penne, fusilli, or small shells. Cook it al dente so it doesn't become mushy.
- Bacon Grease: Tossing the pasta with a little bacon grease adds a savory depth of flavor. If you prefer not to use bacon grease, you can toss the pasta with a teaspoon of olive oil instead to prevent sticking.
- Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a convenient option, but you can use any cooked chicken (grilled, baked, or leftover).
- Caesar Dressing: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade Caesar dressing.
- Croutons: Add croutons just before serving to keep them crunchy.
- Make-Ahead: You can cook the pasta, bacon, and chicken ahead of time. Assemble the salad just before serving, or up to a few hours ahead, adding the croutons last. The salad is best enjoyed fresh.
- Storage: Store leftovers in the fridge.
