Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is the perfect dish when you want something hearty, fresh, and full of flavor. With tender chicken, crispy bacon, crunchy romaine, and a creamy Caesar dressing, this salad is a delicious and satisfying meal that comes together in no time. Whether you’re serving it for lunch, dinner, or a potluck, this pasta salad is always a hit!

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Why Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Is So Irresistible

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is irresistible because it combines all the best parts of a classic Caesar salad and adds hearty pasta, crispy bacon, and juicy chicken. The dressing brings a creamy tang, and the croutons add the perfect crunch. It’s a light yet filling meal that’s great for meal prepping or feeding a crowd. The flexibility of this recipe allows you to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste—whether you like it extra cheesy, more tangy, or with extra bacon!

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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

• For the Salad:
  • 1 lb uncooked pasta
  • 6 strips bacon, cut into small pieces
  • 2 large chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped or torn
  • 2 cups croutons
  • 3/4 cup Caesar dressing (or to taste)
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated or shaved
  • Lemon juice (optional, to taste)

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

1. Prepare the Pasta:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it al dente according to the package instructions. Once done, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water. Let it sit in a colander to drain thoroughly while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

2. Cook the Bacon:

• Cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces and cook it over medium-high heat in a large pan until crispy (about 10 minutes). Once crispy, remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.

3. Cook the Chicken:

• Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Return the pan with the bacon fat to medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for about 5 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and let it cool slightly before slicing it into strips.

4. Assemble the Salad:

• In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, bacon, sliced chicken, chopped romaine lettuce, croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese.
• Toss the ingredients with the Caesar dressing, and add more dressing if needed to coat everything evenly.
• Optionally, squeeze some lemon juice on top before serving for an extra burst of freshness.

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Notes:

• Serving Size: This recipe makes about 4 servings, but you can easily halve it or keep the chicken the same amount if you prefer a larger portion of chicken.
• Substitutions: You can substitute the chicken with rotisserie chicken for a quicker option, or swap out the croutons for some crispy chickpeas if you prefer.
• Make-Ahead: This salad is best eaten fresh, but you can prep the chicken, pasta, and bacon ahead of time and assemble the salad just before serving.
• Customizing the Flavor: If you prefer a tangier dressing, add more lemon juice or a little extra Dijon mustard to the dressing.

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