This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure statement.

Hearty and fresh chicken Caesar pasta salad made with crisp romaine, tender chicken, and homemade croutons. Perfect for dinner or potlucks.

chicken caesar pasta salad recipe in clear bowl revised

When trying to come up with easy dinner ideas, it’s easy to overlook main dish salads. But they truly are one of the simplest ways to get dinner on the table…especially during warmer months. This chicken Caesar pasta salad is one of my favorites because it’s both light and hearty. The pasta adds substance, while the chicken and crisp romaine keep it fresh. Toss it all with Caesar dressing and crunchy homemade croutons, and you have a flavorful salad that works for family dinners, potlucks, or casual get-togethers. My family requests this every time they come to visit!

Why This Recipe Works

The homemade croutons add the perfect crunch and a boost of flavor, and they can be made ahead of time for convenience. Just toss them in right before serving. The addition of cooked chicken turns this salad into a complete, satisfying meal. I like to use rotisserie chicken, but leftover roasted or baked chicken works just as well.

chicken caesar pasta salad ingredients revised

Ingredient Notes + Variations

  • Pasta: instead of penne pasta, use fusilli, rotini, or other short pasta shape. You can also use gluten-free or whole wheat pasta.
  • Lettuce: other leafy greens can be used in place of the chopped romaine, such as spinach, arugula, kale, or mixed greens. You can also add shredded carrots, red cabbage, or cucumber for extra crunch and nutrition.
  • Chicken: any other protein can be substituted for the chicken. Suggestions are canned tuna, grilled shrimp, or grilled salmon. For a vegetarian version, you can skip the meat and add firm tofu cubes or chickpeas.
  • Parmesan cheese: substitute any other hard cheese such as Pecorino Romano, Asiago, or Grana Padano.
  • Caesar dressing: use bottled or homemade dressing…whatever you prefer.
chicken caesar pasta salad recipe in pyrex bowl revised

How To Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

  • In a large pot, boil the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water.
  • Wash and chop two heads of crisp fresh romaine lettuce, and place in a large bowl.
  • Dice the chicken into bite-size pieces. Add to the bowl of lettuce.
  • Incorporate the slightly cooled pasta along with the dressing into the bowl.
  • Thoroughly mix all the ingredients together.
  • Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the mixture and toss once more.
  • Allow the salad to chill in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes.
  • Taste and season with salt and pepper if desired.
  • Complete the dish by serving it alongside homemade crispy croutons.
homemade croutons recipe for chicken caesar pasta salad revised

Helpful Tips

  • Any kind of chicken can be used. I baked chicken breast tenders for this post, but I almost always use rotisserie chicken. This is a great meal idea to use up any sort of leftover chicken.
  • Since I spent extra time to make homemade croutons, I took a short cut on the dressing, and used this bottled creamy Caesar dressing.
  • Use whatever Parmesan cheese you have on hand. The all-time best taste comes from freshly shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano. However, I had a tub of shredded Parmesan in our refrigerator, so that’s what I used.
  • The homemade croutons are like the icing on a cake. They take the taste level up several notches, but of course, any type of store-bought croutons can be used.
close up chicken caesar pasta salad recipe

FAQ’s

Short pasta shapes such as fusilli, penne, rotini, or farfalle (bowtie) pasta work best. These types of pasta have a good surface area for the dressing to cling to, and are easy to eat with the other salad ingredients. Additionally, their sturdy structure holds up well when mixed with other ingredients like lettuce and chicken, making them an ideal choice for this salad.

Yes, you can use store-bought Caesar dressing! It’s very convenient and saves time. If you prefer a fresher taste or want to control the ingredients and seasoning, making your own Caesar salad dressing from scratch is also an excellent option.
Homemade Caesar dressing typically includes ingredients like garlic, anchovy paste (or Worcestershire sauce as a substitute), Dijon mustard, lemon juice, mayonnaise, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.

As a main dish, a serving size is approximately 1.5 to 2 cups per person. As a side dish, a smaller portion of 1 cup per person would be appropriate, as it will complement the other dishes being served without being too filling.

Prepare the pasta, chicken, and lettuce. Put the prepared ingredients in a large bowl or airtight container, but DO NOT MIX THEM. Place them in sections, like on the cutting board pictured above. Cover and store in the refrigerator. You can prep the ingredients up to a day in advance. When you are ready to serve, add the Parmesan cheese and dressing. Toss well, and top with croutons. 

Shop + Source

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What Goes Well With This Salad?

chicken caesar pasta salad recipe in clear bowl revised

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

4.91 from 22 votes
Hearty and fresh chicken Caesar pasta salad made with crisp romaine, tender chicken, and homemade croutons. Perfect for dinner or potlucks.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Refrigeration time 30 minutes
Servings 4 main dish servings
EMAIL THIS RECIPE
Enter your email and I’ll send it your way!
Save Recipe

I’d like to receive more ideas from On Sutton Place!

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups penne pasta (measure before cooking)
  • 2 hearts romaine lettuce
  • 1 1/2 – 2 cups chicken breast pieces
  • 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup Caesar dressing
  • homemade croutons

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cool water.
  • Wash and chop two heads of romaine lettuce, and place in a large bowl.
  • Chop the chicken into bite-size pieces. Add to the bowl with lettuce.
  • Add the slightly cooled pasta and dressing.
  • Toss to combine well.
  • Top with parmesan cheese and toss again.
  • Chill in refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Serve with homemade croutons.
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Amount per Serving
Calories
448
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
21
g
32
%
Cholesterol
 
65
mg
22
%
Sodium
 
846
mg
37
%
Potassium
 
347
mg
10
%
Carbohydrates
 
37
g
12
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
25
g
50
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Author: Ann Drake
Like this recipe?Follow me at @onsuttonplace

If you make this recipe, and love it, please come back to leave a comment and a 5-star review. I would really appreciate it, and it would help me so much. Thank you!

JOIN THE OSP COMMUNITY

Sign up to get uncomplicated recipes, unlimited seasonal decor, and
understated ways to refresh your home sent straight to your email inbox!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Made it? Leave a review!




37 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I love this easy recipe. One dish but covers everything! Protein, Dairy, Greens, light on carbs. My husband enjoyed.

  2. MARY-ANN (FROM CANADA!) says:

    Thanks, Ann, for another great recipe for salad! I am going to make this salad on the weekend.

  3. 5 stars
    Make it even better..marinate chicken in creamy Caesar dressing then grill indoor or out.!

  4. 5 stars
    My husband and I both loved this salad.

  5. Delish, one of my favorite salads, gonna try this one also! ❤️❤️

  6. 5 stars
    Love, love, love Caesar Salad! This recipe is spot on. I use my not-so-perfect sourdough loaves for the bread and the rest of the ingredients in the recipe. Turns out great.

  7. Janet Smith says:

    5 stars
    It’s awesome when someone else family favorite becomes your family favorite too. Thanks for the ideas!

  8. Lisa Fleming says:

    5 stars
    Made this the other night and my family loved it!! There was not a single bite left!!

  9. Tina Austin says:

    My hubby works at night and I during the day. I prepared this amazing meal for him to eat when he got home that morning, he called me at work asking me to make it again. I don’t eat cheese so I could not taste it. But by his response, it’s a winner for me.Thank you for another meal for my rotation.

  10. Lu Leader says:

    5 stars
    So simple and great for summer! Our Pacific Northwest summer is finally here, so we’ll have this tomorrow. Yum! Thanks for sharing.

  11. Sharron Lynn says:

    Immediately added this to my summer recipes. A hot humid summer day calls for a cool refreshing light dinner. YUMMY!

  12. Amy Brizendine says:

    5 stars
    I made this for my family and everyone loved it. Thanks for the recipe.

  13. So many delicious recipes to choose from. Thanks for all your sharing.

  14. Caesar salad with grilled chicken is my summer go to recipe. I never thought about adding pasta. I’m anxious to try it!

  15. Sharon Ganne❤️ says:

    We experience very hot summers here in Fresno, CA and I’m always happy when I find an easy-to-make and very tasty salad recipe such as this one. It is refreshing and one I will definitely make again and again.

  16. Nevin Hartman says:

    Love this salad! I also like to make my own croutons from leftover breads. I don’t waste anything!

  17. Summer salad ideas…very much appreciated! Can’t wait to try. Thank you!

  18. Definitely going to make this… I have a rotisserie chicken from costco I need to use.

    Thank you!

  19. Terri Euerle says:

    I can’t wait to try this, love anything caesar. Think I will be making this for camping this weekend.

  20. Everything about this recipe says YUM!! – think I’ll try it for a dinner party soon – Thank you for sharing

  21. I love anything ‘chicken salad’ and this looks so refreshing and easy to make. Thank you for sharing it with us and will let you know the family’s review ;-)

  22. This recipe sounds perfect for a cool meal on a hot summer evening. Thank you for sharing!

  23. Suzy mooney says:

    Recipe proves that there is more to Caesar than just veggies!

  24. Can’t wait to try this recipe. We are big Caesar Salad lovers. Great way to make it into a light summer meal!

  25. 5 stars
    Quick and easy, my style of cooking these days. Love the idea of making it ahead and toss it together before serving..

  26. Becky Kerwin says:

    Another must try recipe! And I love making my own croutons when I can, there’s just something about them that tastes so much better!!

  27. 5 stars
    Caesar is my fav! ❤️❤️❤️

  28. Terri Herman says:

    Thanks! On the menu for next week! Salads are a must when it’s hot here in the South.

  29. Thanks Ann,
    Chicken Ceasar Salad is always my go to salad! Put I really like the addition of pasta to make the meal a little more filling. And the homemade croutons,mmm!
    Thank you,
    Carol

  30. Deborah Peters says:

    I love this recipe. I will probably cut the pasta in half to follow my diet, but that won’t be a huge revision. :)

  31. Melissa Bonser says:

    5 stars
    This salad is fabulous, my whole family loves it!! The pasta is a great touch, this is asked for repeated ly.
    Thank you so much, Anne!!

  32. Mary Hendley says:

    5 stars
    Delicious and simple to make. My sister get together will love it 🥰

  33. 5 stars
    I served this salad tonight when I hosted our monthly book club. It was a huge hit! This will definitely be on the menu for future events.

  34. Kathryn Anthony says:

    5 stars
    I made this chicken pasta Caesar salad for dinner last evening.
    It was the perfect blend ôf ingredients with the addition of the pasta. We also had a toasted English muffin on the side. Divine!

  35. Ann, made this tonight and my husband said to add it to the regular rotation. Delicious! Thank you!

  36. Linda Greene says:

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for the salad recipe. I made the croutons using your recipe. It is delicious!!! I love a simple and delicious one dish meal.
    Thank you for sharing.

    1. Ann Drake says:

      Yay! Thank you so much for the 5 Star rating. I am so glad you liked the recipes!