With just a few ingredients and a super simple method, you can make the yummiest Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad as an easy meal to share with the kids. It works well packed as kids lunch, too!
I often talk about how Caesar salad has been the gateway salad for my kids—or the type of salad that helped them to realize that they actually, in fact, enjoy salad!
And by adding pasta and chicken to Caesar salad, we can easily turn it into a kid-friendly meal that works for dinner or lunch.
This meal is super versatile, too, and can be an easy toddler lunch idea or weeknight family dinner.
Why this Recipe Works
This versatile recipe is idea for families since you can make it with my homemade Caesar dressing and Italian Chicken Cutlets or Baked Chicken Tenders. Or you can use store-bought dressing and rotisserie chicken. You can mix it all together or serve it deconstructed with the dressing as a dip.
(You may also like Protein Lunch Ideas, Pesto Pasta Salad, Focaccia Sandwich, Healthy Pasta Salad with Chicken, Pizza Salad, and Farro Salad.)
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at how to make this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad so you know what to have on hand or pick up from the store.
- Pasta: You can use any type of cooked pasta in this recipe, though I prefer shorter shapes like wagon wheels, farfalle, penne, fusilli, or rotini.
- Olive oil: We add a little olive oil to the cooked pasta as it cools so it doesn’t stick together and is easy to mix into the salad.
- Chicken: You can use any cooked chicken that your family likes or that you have on hand including rotisserie chicken, chicken cutlets, Chicken Bites, chicken breast, chicken thighs—even chicken nuggets!
- Romaine lettuce: Shredded romaine gives the pasta salad the crunch we want. I like to shred crisp romaine lettuce it so it’s easy for the kids to eat.
- Croutons: I prefer “Caesar croutons” since they tend to have the flavor we expect in a restaurant-style Caesar salad, so look for those at your store.
- Caesar dressing: You can use store bought dressing or my homemade Caesar dressing, which is easy to stir together using mayonnaise or yogurt, garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon.
- Parmesan cheese: Extra Parmesan makes the whole pasta salad really come together flavor-wise.
Featured Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Such a good easy recipe and kid friendly! we used your Italian chicken cutlets and it was even better!” —Steph
Step-by-Step Instructions
Below is an overview of how to make the Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full information.
Step 1. Chop the lettuce.
Step 2. Cook the pasta and drain.
Step 3. Cut the chicken into strips, if needed.
Step 4. When the pasta is cool, add it to a large bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Toss.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You can store the mixed pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge or store the elements of the recipe in separate containers and mix as you want them.
You can do any type of cooked chicken breast, chicken thighs, chicken nuggets, chicken tenders, rotisserie chicken, or really any chicken you like. Cut into slices or bite-size pieces.
Sure, add olives, thinly sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, and a sprinkle of feta cheese as an easy recipe variation.
How to Store
Store leftover Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The lettuce may soften a little as it sits.
You can also store the components of the dish separately and mix them together whenever you need an easy meal or have kids lunches to pack.
Best Tips for Success
- Use a gluten-free pasta as desired.
- Use gluten-free croutons if needed.
- Mix the pasta salad together or serve the elements side-by-side so everyone can mix and match as they like. The dressing can also be used as a dip if the kids prefer to eat it that way.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes, black pepper, or extra lemon juice if you like.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please comment below to share!
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
- 6 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 1 cup croutons
- ¼-½ cup Caesar dressing
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, then toss with a olive oil to prevent sticking as it cools.
- When the pasta is cool, add it to a large bowl with the rest of the ingredients.
- Gently toss to combine. Serve.
- Or, serve the elements side-by-side and let everyone add their own dressing or use the dressing as a dip.
Notes
- Store leftover Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The lettuce may soften a little as it sits.
- You can make it with my Italian Chicken Cutlets or Baked Chicken Tenders, or rotisserie chicken or other cooked chicken from the store.
- Use a gluten-free pasta as desired.
- Try my easy Caesar dressing or one from the store.
such a good easy recipe and kid friendly! we used your italian chicken cutlets and it was even better!