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Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad - A Fresh, Hearty Twist on a Classic

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken: 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 to 1.25 lbs)
  • Marinade: 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pasta: 12 ounces short pasta (rotini, penne, or farfalle)
  • Romaine: 2 large hearts of romaine, chopped
  • Parmesan: 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
  • Croutons: 2 cups good-quality croutons (or make your own)
  • Caesar dressing (homemade or store-bought):
  • If homemade: 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1–2 anchovy fillets or 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional but classic), 1 small garlic clove (grated), 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire, salt and black pepper to taste, and 2–3 tablespoons olive oil to thin
  • Optional add-ins: Cherry tomatoes, shaved asparagus, cooked bacon, capers, or avocado
  • Garnish: Freshly cracked black pepper and lemon wedges

Method
 

  1. Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon, Worcestershire, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and coat well. Let sit 20–30 minutes at room temperature or up to 6 hours in the fridge.
  2. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just al dente. Drain, rinse briefly under cool water to stop cooking, and toss with a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  3. Preheat the grill: Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high. Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
  4. Grill the chicken: Grill chicken 5–7 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let rest 5–10 minutes, then slice into thin strips or bite-size pieces.
  5. Make the dressing (if homemade): Whisk mayo, lemon juice, Dijon, anchovy, garlic, Parmesan, and Worcestershire. Stream in olive oil to reach a pourable, creamy consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust lemon or Parmesan as you like.
  6. Prep the romaine: Chop romaine into bite-size pieces and pat dry thoroughly. Dry lettuce is key to a crisp salad that doesn’t turn watery.
  7. Toss the pasta and chicken: In a large bowl, combine pasta and grilled chicken with about half the dressing. Toss gently until coated.
  8. Add the greens and cheese: Add romaine and 3/4 cup Parmesan. Toss again, adding more dressing as needed to lightly coat everything without weighing it down.
  9. Finish with crunch: Fold in croutons right before serving so they stay crisp. Top with extra Parmesan and cracked pepper. Serve with lemon wedges.