Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is perfect for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner. It's a delightful combination of pan-fried chicken, al dente pasta, crisp romaine lettuce, and Parmesan cheese shavings, all tossed in a creamy homemade Caesar dressing. This delicious salad is sure to become a favorite in your meal rotation.

Ingredients

—Chicken Ingredients—
🍗 2 chicken breasts, cut in half horizontally
🍋 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
🧄 1 teaspoon garlic powder
🧅 1 teaspoon onion powder
🌶️ 1 teaspoon paprika
🧂 1/2 teaspoon salt
🫒 3 tablespoons of olive oil

—Caesar Dressing—
🥄 1 cup mayonnaise
🥄 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
🥣 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (or 1 tablespoon soy sauce)
🧄 2 cloves garlic (minced or grated)
🍋 The juice of 1 lemon
🫒 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
🧀 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
🧂 1/2 teaspoon salt
⚫ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

—For the Salad—
🍝 1/2 lb pasta of choice (boiled al dente)
🥬 2 hearts of romaine
🧀 1 cup of Parmesan cheese shavings (and a little more for garnish)
🥖 Croutons (optional)

Instructions

1- Prepare the Chicken:

• Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create evenly sized pieces.
• In a small bowl, combine lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt.
• Season both sides of the chicken with the spice mixture.

2- Cook the Chicken:

• Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
• Fry the chicken for about 5 minutes per side, or until it’s golden and cooked through.
• Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest and cool before cutting into bite-sized pieces.

3- Cook the Pasta:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil and add a generous amount of salt.
• Cook the pasta al dente according to package directions.
• Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water. Let it sit in a colander.

4- Prepare the Caesar Dressing:

• In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce), minced garlic, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese.

5- Prepare the Salad Ingredients:

• Cut the romaine hearts into bite-sized pieces, then wash and dry them.

6- Assemble the Salad:

• In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, lettuce, and Parmesan cheese shavings.
• Pour the Caesar dressing over the salad ingredients and toss everything together well.
• Garnish with croutons and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories per Serving: 650 kcal (approx.)
Nutrition per Serving: Protein: 40g, Fats: 42g, Carbohydrates: 35g
Equipment: Pan, pot, colander, mixing bowls, knife, cutting board

Cooking Tips:

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to 165°F (75°C).
• Customize with additional veggies like cherry tomatoes or cucumbers for added freshness.
• For a lower-calorie option, substitute Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.

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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad