Name: 20-Minute Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients: For the Chicken: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound or 450g); 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml); 1 teaspoon garlic powder (2g); 1 teaspoon onion powder (2g); Salt and pepper, to taste; For the Salad: 8 ounces (225g) rotini or penne pasta (uncooked); 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce (about 100g); 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50g); 1/2 cup croutons (about 30g); For the Caesar Dressing: 1/2 cup mayonnaise (120g); 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (25g); 2 tablespoons lemon juice (30ml); 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (30g); 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (5ml); 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (1g); Salt, to taste

Description

Make this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad with tender chicken, creamy dressing, and crunchy croutons. A perfect, quick meal for any day!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound or 450g)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (2g)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (2g)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Salad:
- 8 ounces (225g) rotini or penne pasta (uncooked)
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce (about 100g)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50g)
- 1/2 cup croutons (about 30g)
For the Caesar Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (120g)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (25g)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (30ml)
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (30g)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (5ml)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (1g)
- Salt, to taste

Instructions

Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest for a few minutes. Once rested, slice the chicken into thin strips or bite-sized pieces.
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set the pasta aside to cool.
Make the Caesar Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Taste and add salt if needed. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sliced chicken, chopped lettuce, crumbled croutons, and grated Parmesan. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well coated.
Serve: Garnish with extra Parmesan and serve chilled. Enjoy!