Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Prep Time:15 minutes Cook Time:45 minutes Total Time:1 hour Servings: 8

A pasta salad with grilled chicken and crispy parmesan croutons in a tasty caesar dressing!

ingredients

For the parmesan croutons:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small clove garlic, grated
2 cups bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (gluten-free for gluten-free)
2 tablespoons parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
salt and pepper to taste

For the grilled chicken:

1 pound boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs, pounded thin
salt and pepper to taste

For the caesar dressing:

1/4 cup mayonnaise (or sour cream or plain yogurt)
2 tablespoons buttermilk or milk
1 clove garlic, grated
1 anchovy fillet, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste)
1 tablespoon lemon juice (or white wine vinegar)
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons parmigiano reggiano (parmesan), grated
salt and pepper to taste

For the pasta salad:

8 ounces pasta
6 cups romaine lettuce, sliced
1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (parmesan cheese), grated or shredded or shaved

directions

For the parmesan croutons:

Mix the oil and garlic and let sit for a while before straining the garlic from the oil.
Toss the bread in the garlic oil, parmesan, salt and pepper, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 375F/190C oven until lightly golden brown, about 10-15 minutes, mixing half way through.

For the grilled chicken:

Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste, grill over medium-high heat until the chicken is cooked through, about 4-6 minutes per side, before setting aside to rest 5 minutes and then slice it into bite sized pieces.

For the caesar dressing:

Mix everything well.

For the pasta salad:

Cook the pasta as directed on the package, drain and rinse in cold water until it has cooled.
Toss the pasta, lettuce, croutons, and chicken with the dressing and parmesan and enjoy!

Option: Add cooked and crumbled bacon.
Option: Add diced tomatoes.
Option: Add diced avocado.
Option: Use salmon, shrimp, beef, pork, or tofu instead of the chicken.
Option: You can cook the pasta and bake the croutons at the same time to save some time.
Option: You can make the croutons and chicken a day ahead to save some time.