Creamy Caesar Pasta Salad with Chicken

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 15 mins

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 4 Servings

True to its name, this pasta salad is tossed together with creamy Caesar dressing. Take your pick between using your favorite bottled Caesar salad dressing or make a batch of homemade Caesar dressing. If you decide to make your own, our recipe for creamy Caesar dressing makes just the amount you’ll need for the pasta salad, so you won’t be stuck with any leftovers.

Ingredients

8 ounces dried rotini pasta (about scant 2 1/2 cups)
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 small)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for the pasta water
1/4 teaspon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small heart romaine lettuce (about 4 ounces)
1 pint grape tomatoes (about 10 ounces)
1 ounce Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
1 1/2 cups homemade or store-bought croutons
1/2 cup homemade or store-bought creamy Caesar dressing

Instructions

Bring a large saucepan of heavily salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces dried rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, 9 to 11 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the chicken.
Pat 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels and cut into 1-inch cubes. Season all over with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 12-inch or larger skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook, flipping occasionally, until cooked through and browned all over, 6 to 8 minutes total. Remove the skillet from the heat.
When the pasta is ready, drain and rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well.
Prepare the following, adding each to the same large bowl as you complete it: Core and chop 1 small heart romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces (about 3 cups). Shave 1 ounce Parmesan cheese with a vegetable peeler into shards (about 1/2 cup).
Add the pasta, chicken, 1 pint grape tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups croutons, and 1/2 cup creamy Caesar dressing. Toss to coat. Garnish with more Parmesan cheese shards if desired.