Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

When I get in a pasta salad rut, one of my favorite ways to break out of it is to make pasta salad modeled after one of my favorite green salads. Cobb Pasta Salad and Greek Pasta Salad are two favorites. I’m almost always pleased with the outcome, probably because there are so few ingredients or flavors that I don’t like with pasta. Pasta is like a blank canvas you can use to let your creativity run free.

Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *Email *

This Caesar Pasta Salad is modeled after my Caesar Coleslaw and it is a delicious and satisfying pasta salad. During the summer months, I love the nice crispy crunch of the romaine lettuce in a Caesar salad. There’s something so refreshing about it. I add enough romaine to this dish so you know it’s there, but not so much that it overtakes the pasta.

I make a creamy Caesar dressing from mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic, and a few minced anchovies. You can leave the anchovies out if you really object to them. I add a big handful of grape tomatoes and they, along with the romaine lettuce and a sprinkling of chopped green onions, make the salad fresh and bright. A few croutons on top give some crunch and add a finishing Caesar salad touch.

Toss in a few diced grilled chicken breasts and you have yourself not just a crowd-pleasing side dish, but a dish that works as a light summer meal.

Recipe Notes

• Be sure to salt the cooking water for the pasta well or the pasta will taste bland. I use at least a tablespoon of salt.
• The anchovies can be omitted. If you do omit them, you may want to use a little extra Worcestershire sauce.

How To Make

(More detailed instructions in recipe card below.)

1. Make the dressing. In a small bowl stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, lemon juice, anchovies and Worcestershire sauce.
   
2. Add dressing to pasta. Toss just half the dressing with the cooked pasta and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
   
3. Mix in the remaining ingredients.
   
4. Mix in the remaining dressing and serve.
   

   

   Pin this now to find it later

   More Pasta Salad Favorites

   • BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad
   • Tzatziki Pasta Salad
   • BLT Pasta Salad
   • Muffaletta Pasta Salad
   • Shrimp and Dill Pasta Salad

   See how easy this recipe is to make. Watch the short video below.

   Originally published July 8, 2014.

   Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.