If you’re looking for a quick, crowd-pleasing dish that’s bursting with flavor, this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe is it. Packed with rotini pasta, tender chicken, crispy bacon, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy croutons—all tossed in creamy Caesar dressing—it’s a fresh twist on a classic that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, or busy weeknights.
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This easy, no-fuss recipe comes together in just 20 minutes and delivers everything you love about a Caesar salad, but with the added heartiness of pasta. It’s versatile, satisfying, and guaranteed to disappear fast—so don’t be surprised if it becomes a regular in your meal rotation!
Love easy, flavor-packed salads? Don’t miss my BLT Pasta Salad, creamy Amish Pasta Salad, and fresh, zesty Bruschetta Pasta Salad—perfect for any occasion!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Light and refreshing: The mix of fresh, chopped lettuce, grilled chicken, and a smooth, refreshing dressing makes this recipe the perfect light lunch that’s great for warm weather days.
- Simple ingredients: There’s no need to worry about complex ingredients or a lot of prep time with this recipe! With just a few simple steps and some quick mixing, you’ll have the perfect pasta salad on your hands in no time!
- Fun twist on a classic recipe: Who doesn’t love a classic Caesar salad or a pasta salad in the summertime? Luckily, this recipe doesn’t make you choose between the two.
Ingredients
Gather the ingredients below to make this easy chicken pasta salad!
- Rotini pasta holds in the Caesar dressing perfectly and leaves you with a flavorful, tender bite!
- Chicken, whether you use leftover chicken, rotisserie, or fresh grilled chicken, be sure to try and use uniform, bite-sized pieces.
- Romaine lettuce should be fresh and crispy for the best results.
- Cherry tomatoes are juicy and full of flavor; the perfect addition to this refreshing salad.
- Parmesan cheese is sharp, flavorful, and tastes best when finely grated!
- Bacon adds a savory, crisp crunch to the salad. Use store bought or freshly cooked bacon.
- Caesar dressing is smooth, creamy, and full of flavor. You can use a premade Caesar dressing or a homemade one if you prefer.
- Croutons add a salty crunch to the salad.
- Garlic pepper, to taste
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Homemade dressing: Prefer to skip store-bought? You can absolutely use a homemade Caesar dressing—or try a yogurt-based or vegan version if you’re looking for a lighter or dairy-free option.
- Pasta shape options: Smaller pasta holds the dressing best, but bowtie and penne are great alternatives if you don’t have rotini on hand. For more ways to use these shapes, try my Caprese Bowtie Pasta Salad or Caprese Pasta Salad made with penne—they’re both fresh, flavorful, and perfect for summer!
- Get the best flavor: Freshly grated parmesan cheese adds the richest, most authentic flavor—totally worth the extra step!
- Crunchy alternative: Try garlic breadcrumbs, toasted nuts, or even crushed pita chips instead of croutons for a different kind of crunch.
- Make it extra cheesy: Add shredded mozzarella or swap in asiago or romano cheese to change things up.
- Veggie boost: Toss in extras like cucumbers, red onion, or bell peppers for more crunch and color—or try adding avocado for a fresh twist, like in this easy Avocado Salad.
- Make it your own: Go spicy with red pepper flakes, make it vegetarian by skipping the chicken and bacon, or even serve it in wraps for an easy on-the-go lunch.
How to Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Once you've gathered all your ingredients, cook your pasta according to the directions and follow the steps below for this cold chicken pasta salad.
- Step 1: Add the cooled pasta to a large bowl along with the chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and bacon.
- Step 2: Stir together.
- Step 3: Just before serving, add dressing, croutons, and garlic pepper.
- Step 4: Mix well and enjoy!
Helpful Tips
- Time-saving tip: Short on time? Use leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken for equally delicious, no-fuss results.
- Cook pasta to al dente: Be sure not to overcook or undercook your pasta—it should be firm to the bite so it holds up well once tossed with the other ingredients.
- Let pasta cool: Letting your pasta cool before mixing it with lettuce and dressing helps prevent wilting and keeps the salad crisp.
- High quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, real parmesan, and a good Caesar dressing go a long way in taking this dish from good to great.
- Toss right before serving: For the best texture, wait to mix in the dressing and croutons until just before serving so nothing gets soggy—just like with my Dorito Taco Salad, where the chips stay nice and crunchy when added at the end.
- Chill before serving (optional): If you have time, chill the undressed salad in the fridge for 30 minutes to help the flavors meld.
- Adjust dressing as needed: Pasta can absorb dressing as it sits. If the salad looks a little dry, stir in a splash of extra dressing to refresh it—just like I do with my Tuna Pasta Salad to bring back its creamy texture before serving.
- Don’t skip the seasoning: A sprinkle of garlic pepper or cracked black pepper adds a flavorful finishing touch.
- Double for a crowd: This recipe scales easily—double the ingredients for a big gathering or potluck.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but for the best texture, wait to add the dressing, lettuce and croutons until just before serving. You can prep the pasta, chicken, and veggies a day ahead and store them separately in the fridge.
Absolutely! Bowtie, penne or fusilli pasta work great. Just avoid very large or flat noodles that don’t hold dressing well.
You can swap the chicken with chickpeas, hard-boiled eggs, tofu, or white beans for a vegetarian option. Grilled shrimp, turkey, or steak strips also make great alternatives.
It’s traditionally served cold or at room temperature, but it can also be enjoyed slightly warm—just let the pasta cool a bit before adding the lettuce to avoid wilting.
Storage & Freezing Instructions
Storage Instructions
Leftovers of this recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The lettuce loses its crispness over time so anything over that isn’t recommended.
Freezing Instructions
It is not recommended to freeze this recipe.
More Pasta Salad Recipes You'll Love
Looking for other homemade pasta salad recipes like this? Try these:
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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked and chopped chicken
- 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 ½ cups halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ cups cooked and crumbled bacon
- 2 cups Caesar dressing
- 5 ounce bag croutons
- garlic pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. When done, strain and cool by rinsing with cold water.
- In a large bowl, add cooked pasta, chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and bacon. Stir together.
- Just before serving, add dressing, croutons, and garlic pepper. Mix well and enjoy!
Notes
- Time-saving tip: Short on time? Use leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken for equally delicious, no-fuss results.
- Cook pasta to al dente: Be sure not to overcook or undercook your pasta—it should be firm to the bite so it holds up well once tossed with the other ingredients.
- Let pasta cool: Letting your pasta cool before mixing it with lettuce and dressing helps prevent wilting and keeps the salad crisp.
- High quality ingredients: Fresh vegetables, real parmesan, and a good Caesar dressing go a long way in taking this dish from good to great.
- Toss right before serving: For the best texture, wait to mix in the dressing and croutons until just before serving so nothing gets soggy.
- Chill before serving (optional): If you have time, chill the undressed salad in the fridge for 30 minutes to help the flavors meld.
- Adjust dressing as needed: Pasta can absorb dressing as it sits. If the salad looks a little dry, stir in a splash of extra dressing to refresh it.
- Don’t skip the seasoning: A sprinkle of garlic pepper or cracked black pepper adds a flavorful finishing touch.
- Double for a crowd: This recipe scales easily—double the ingredients for a big gathering or potluck.
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