Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Name: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad with Cajun Grilled Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp cajun seasoning; 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped; 16 oz penne pasta, cooked and cooled; 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled; 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded; 1.5 cups croutons; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup sour cream; 1 tbsp dijon mustard; 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce; 1 tbsp anchovy paste; 2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated (for dressing); salt, to taste; freshly ground black pepper, to taste; lemon wedges, for serving

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines Cajun-grilled chicken, crispy bacon, and penne pasta with a simple homemade Caesar dressing for a satisfying main-course salad that's ready in minutes.

🌍American 🏷️Chicken caesar salad 🏷️Pasta salad 🏷️Chicken pasta salad 🏷️Caesar dressing Grilled chicken

🏷️

🏷️Bacon

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TikTok

Total

35 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$34–$56

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok

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TikTok

Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp cajun seasoning
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
16 oz penne pasta, cooked and cooled
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
1.5 cups croutons
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp anchovy paste
2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated (for dressing)
salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
lemon wedges, for servingoptional

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Instructions

1
Drizzle chicken breasts with olive oil and season generously with Cajun seasoning.
2
Grill the chicken until cooked through and juicy. Let it rest, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
3
To make the dressing, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, fresh lemon juice, and minced garlic in a medium bowl.
4
Add salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese to the dressing. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
5
In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce and cooked penne pasta.
6
Add the chopped grilled chicken, crumbled bacon, shredded Parmesan cheese, and croutons to the bowl.
7
Pour the homemade Caesar dressing over the salad ingredients and add a sprinkle of fresh black pepper.
8
Toss everything together until well combined. Serve immediately.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Pat chicken breasts dry and pound to even thickness before seasoning for uniform Cajun coating and faster, even grilling.
Cool the cooked penne completely on a sheet pan before mixing to prevent it from absorbing excess dressing and becoming mushy.
Crisp the bacon the day before and store in an airtight container to save time and maintain crunch longer in the finished salad.
Toast croutons lightly just before serving or store them separately and add at the last moment to preserve their texture.

Substitutions

Penne pasta → rotini or farfalle (similar cooking time and texture retention)
Cajun seasoning → blackened seasoning or smoked paprika blend (adjusts heat level)
Romaine lettuce → spinach or mixed greens (lighter or more delicate option)
Mayonnaise-sour cream dressing → Greek yogurt-based Caesar (lighter, tangier alternative)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container with dressing separate for up to 3 days. Keep chicken and pasta refrigerated and assemble with fresh greens just before eating.