Description
A vibrant and satisfying Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combining tender sautéed chicken breasts, al dente farfalle pasta, crisp Romaine lettuce, creamy Caesar dressing, and flavorful garlicky breadcrumbs topped with Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner, served immediately or chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breadcrumbs
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Fine sea salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
Pasta Salad
- 1 pound uncooked pasta (farfalle recommended)
- 3 Romaine lettuce hearts (12 ounces), roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups Caesar dressing
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously-salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta until just al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until chilled. Set aside.
- Prepare Garlic Breadcrumbs: While the pasta cooks, melt the butter over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, stirring frequently until fragrant. Add the Panko breadcrumbs along with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Continue sautéing for 2-3 minutes, stirring often until the breadcrumbs turn golden brown. Transfer them to a bowl and set aside. Wipe the sauté pan clean.
- Cook Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in the same sauté pan until shimmering. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and no longer pink in the middle. Transfer to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing into thin, bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped Romaine lettuce, sliced chicken, and Caesar dressing. Gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately, garnished generously with the garlicky breadcrumbs, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and a few twists of black pepper. Alternatively, refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 4 hours to serve chilled.
Notes
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be kept refrigerated for up to 4 hours.
- Use your favorite Caesar dressing or homemade for the best flavors.
- Garlicky breadcrumbs add a delightful crunch and extra flavor that complements the creamy dressing.
- Parmesan cheese topping enhances the classic Caesar taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
