This chicken Caesar pasta salad is super easy to make and comes together in just 10 minutes! It’s a twist on the classic Caesar salad made with croutons, crunchy Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, Parmesan, tender pasta and chicken tossed in a creamy Caesar dressing. This cold pasta salad is satisfying for a quick dinner, to serve as a BBQ side or to bring to a potluck.
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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ pound farfalle pasta (cooked and cooled)
- 4 cups romaine lettuce (chopped)
- 1 ½ cups cooked chicken (shredded)
- ½ cup bacon (cooked and chopped)
- 1 cup grape tomatoes (halved)
- ½ cup croutons
- ½ cup parmesan cheese (finely shredded or shaved)
- ½ cup Caesar dressing (more if needed)
- ¼ cup red onion (sliced, optional)
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients into a large serving bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve and toss with dressing, just before serving. This salad is best served the first day.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
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Why I Love This Recipe
- Simple and quick: This chicken caesar pasta salad is super easy to make and great for a quick dinner or for a side to bring to a BBQ. If you use leftover rotisserie chicken, it’s even easier!
- Crowd pleasing: Everyone always loves this easy pasta salad recipe, even my picky kids!
How to Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Cook pasta, drain and set aside.
- Shred chicken and crumble bacon.
- Combine chicken, pasta, bacon and remaining ingredients into a large serving bowl.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve and toss with dressing, just before serving. Serve immediately!
Variations
- I used farfalle pasta, but penne or rotini would both be great as well.
- Skip the pasta and just make chicken Caesar salad instead!
- I love using rotisserie chicken to make this recipe even easier. If you don’t have rotisserie chicken, try my instant pot or crock pot shredded chicken recipe. Just omit the Mexican flavored spices and you’ll be good to go!
- If you’re not a fan of a Caesar salad dressing recipe, you could always substitute Italian dressing instead.
- Homemade croutons are a wonderful addition and give this dish great flavor and crunch.
Make Ahead
This is one of those pasta salads that tastes best if served the first day, just like if you were to make a traditional Caesar salad recipe. I wouldn’t recommend making it too far ahead of time, however you can prep the ingredients in advance to save time. Then right before serving, simply add all of the prepped ingredients in a large bowl and toss to combine.
More Delicious Pasta Salad Recipes
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, American, Chicken, Chicken, Dinner, Pasta, Pasta Salad, Salads, Side Dishes
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
What’s your favorite Caesar dressing?
Marzetti makes a good caesar dressing.
We loved this salad for lunch! It’s super easy to whip up and absolutely delicious!
My family can’t get enough of this pasta dinner!
I was trying to find a dish to add to our dinner tonight and this is perfect! Hubby is grilling and this is so easy to put together…dinner with be a breeze. Yay!
This salad looks amazing! A new favorite summer salad!
Thank you. i have printed this out for a family meal later in the week. x
Hope you enjoy! :)
Great pasta salad! I have to make this for lunch this week!
This will quickly become my new go-to summer dinner option! So delicious!Sabrina
Such a flavorful salad!
Oh dear, with you all the way !
I want to eat some of this right now!
What a fun twist on pasta salad!
We love this salad for hot summer nights!!
Yes!! One of my favorites too! :)
I love how easily this all comes together! Great for a busy weeknight meal!