Chicken Pasta Salad with Caesar Dressing
This chicken pasta salad with Caesar dressing is a nutritious twist on a classic, featuring tender pasta, fresh vegetables, and a creamy homemade dressing. Perfect for meal prep or a quick dinner, it's customizable to fit various dietary needs.
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large lemon Zest and juice of (1 teaspoon zest and ~3 tablespoons juice)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (2–3 teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 8 oz dry fusilli corti bucati pasta or other pasta shape
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce or finely chopped kale*
- 3 cups cooked chopped chicken (16 ounces)
- 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 avocado peeled, pitted, and diced (optional)*
- ⅓ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
- Optional toppings: roasted chickpeas, toasted pine nuts, raw pumpkin seeds, or croutons
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Parmesan, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. You can prepare this up to 5 days in advance and refrigerate it.
- Prepare the pasta according to package instructions, then drain and allow it to cool. Cooked pasta can be made up to 2 days ahead.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, romaine or kale, cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, and diced avocado (if using). Pour the dressing over and toss gently to coat.
- Sprinkle shaved Parmesan on top and add any optional toppings such as roasted chickpeas or croutons for extra crunch.
Notes
*For meal prep, substitute romaine with kale or omit the avocado if planning to store longer than 2 days.