Just like clock-work, every year here in East Texas, we hit 95 and 100 degrees and I start craving all of my favorite summer recipes. Â Nothing hits the spot more on a hot summer day than a nice cool, pasta salads. Today I thought I would share this delicious Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad recipe that we have been making for years and love!
This pasta salad is so easy to make, especially if you use a rotisserie chicken. Â The mix of the pasta, romaine, caesar dressing and fresh parmesan cheese is a great combination and it’s perfect for lunch or dinner on the patio. Â What I love most about this salad is that it’s heartier than just a lettuce salad because of the pasta but it’s not too heavy.
I have to warn you, this recipe makes for 8-10 servings and I’m sharing it this week to encourage you to make a big batch and eat off of it over a few days. Â It’s one of those salads that gets better and better each day because all of the flavors meld. Â Also, I always keep the romaine part of the recipe in a separate ziploc bag and just add as I dish up a plate. Â Because after a few hours, the lettuce will wilt, it’s best to toss right as you’re about to eat it.
Here is the recipe:
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad (serves 8-10 )(cut recipe in half for 4-5 servings)
Ingredients;
16 oz Package of Penne Regate Pasta Cooked Al Dente and cooled
2 Cups Shredded Cooked Chicken (rotisserie chicken makes this so easy)
4 Cups Finely Sliced Romaine Lettuce (Cut about 1/2 inch thick strips)
12 oz. Jar of Marie’s Caesar Salad Dressing (it’s cold and found in the cold produce section) I do not recommend any other dressing other than Marie’s-it’s the best for this recipe
1 Cup Shredded (not grated) Parmesan Cheese
1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
1 teaspoon Cracked Pepper
Directions;
Begin by tossing the caesar dressing, and pasta together until the pasta is coated. Next, add the shredded chicken, garlic salt and cracked pepper and continue to mix. Next add the parmesan and reserve a little to top each serving. Keep in mind that the mix will look like way too much dressing but once you mix in the lettuce, it’s the perfect ratio. Â Be sure and wait until you are ready to serve to toss in romaine (so that it stays fresh).
I sure hope you guys give this a try because it is seriously delicious (and addicting!).
Thanks for stopping by friends and if you haven’t had the chance to register for the Kirkland’s $50.00 gift card that I’m giving away, you can do that here.
Cheers!
Cyndy
Lisa C. says
so excited to see this recipe, can’t wait to make it. Marie’s is our favorite dressing and we love having the salad with it, I bet this pasta rocks!
Lisa C. says
Made this tonight..everyone LOVED it, definately going onto my list to make again! It was good like a caesar salad, but filled you up more because of the pasta! Huge hit around here!
Cyndy says
Oh I’m so glad that it was a hit for you all! It’s one of our favorites and yes, it’s like eating a salad but it’s filing. Thanks so much Lisa for your sweet note!
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
This sounds fabulous and so pefect for a hot summer day.
Tara says
That looks so delicious!! It is perfect for summer! Thanks for sharing.
Pam @ Simple Details says
Thanks Cyndy! I made it for dinner tonight and my family gave it a thumbs up! 🙂
Cyndy says
Oh I’m so glad that you tried it and your family gave it a thumbs up! It’s one of our favorites and its so easy! Thanks for your note sweet Pam! xo
Diane Gibbs. says
This sounds great. I’m in Houston and it is suddenly HOT!
I’m going to make this w/o the chicken to serve with ribs on Father’s Day.
Maybe throw in some peas! My guys will like it..
Cyndy says
peas would be so good and I was also thinking blanched asparagus? Thanks so much for stopping by Diane and stay cool this summer!
Karen Stevens says
I’m making this today for ladies luncheon after my daughter’s OB visit! I’ll let you know how it goes – looks fabulous!
Cyndy says
Aww.. I sure hope you ladies enjoy the salad and congrats on the Grandbaby Karen!
Lisa @ShopGirlDaily.com says
Thank you so much for this recipe! I just made this and it is delicious! Definitely going to be a regular at our house!
Terry in Ca says
Made this tonight. Didn’t have any garlic salt, so had to use seasoning salt. Very tasty
Carolyn says
Made this tonight & LOVED it! Happened to be at Trader Joe’s today so I picked up their Romano Caesar Dressing & that worked really well! All house members including 3 kiddos loved it! Thank you:)
Summer says
Made this a couple nights ago and loved it. I will say, though, if you plan to eat it for more than one day, you need to add more dressing each day. The noodles soak it up and become very oily. Other than that, it’s great!
tina says
Hi where can I find the ceasar dressing? Jewel or Marianos???
Thanks!
allie says
Does this have to be refrigerated?
Neil says
Hi wondered if this can somehow be served warm as a spring dinner entree? I’m thinking peas, mushrooms and, perhaps garnished with some halved grape tomatoes-thoughts? thanks.
liz says
Add some purple cabbage and shredded carrots for some color. SO yummy – got my 11-year-old boy to eat salad 🙂
Jennifer hill says
I found this recipe on Pinterest and I made it tonight. The only thing I had to substitute was the dressing. My store didn’t have the caesar in the Marie’s. Fortunately I had a bottle of olive gardens Italian dressing and used that instead, and it was fantastic. Thanks for the recipe, I will try again with the caesar when I find some.
Dami says
This was fantastic! Love caesar salad and the pasta with this is great. Thanks, too, for introducing me to Marie’s dressing. Kraft’s caesar is awful and really turned me off the salad. Marie’s is great!
Trudy says
I’m not going to be able to get Marie’s dressing in NZ but will try with another thanks
Paula says
Everyone (ages 9 to 45) loved this!
Bonnie says
Made your chicken pasta Caesar Everyone loved it… Only one comment one said could have a little more dressing…. But all in all delish and super easy !! Thanks
Celia says
I can’t wait to try this salad, but before I do I have a question. When I mix the pasta with the salad dressing, does that mean I pour the entire 12 oz of dressing and mix it with the pasta or do i just pour some of it to coat it?
Cyndy says
Just add your desired amount of dressing. Some people like a lot and some people just want a little. So just add small amounts at a time and taste. You will love it! 🙂
Hailey says
I just made this for lunch. Instead of boiling the chicken I seasoned it then pan seared it for more flavor. We also topped ours with croutons. My family loves regular Caesar salad, but actually preferred the pasta without any lettuce. Will definitely make again, thanks for the recipe!
Johan says
Tried! Excellent recipe
Alicia says
looks good im going to make it for superbowl.i know my daughter is going to love it.
Kathy W. says
Very good salad, especially on a hot summer day. A keeper for us!