Description

A sturdy, crowd-pleasing pasta salad that travels well for potlucks, featuring rotini, shredded chicken, and a creamy garlic parmesan dressing with crisp romaine and croutons.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound dry rotini or penne pasta
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken)
2 heads crisp romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 cup high-quality mayonnaise
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon anchovy paste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 cups sturdy croutons
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Salt for pasta water and seasoning

Instructions

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and immediately rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside to drain completely.
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest for 5 minutes, then shred into bite-sized pieces.
In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, parmesan, minced garlic, lemon juice, anchovy paste, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard until smooth. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Wash and thoroughly dry romaine lettuce, then chop into 1-inch pieces.
In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, shredded chicken, and chopped romaine. Pour dressing over the mixture and toss gently with tongs until evenly coated.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Just before serving, toss in the croutons to maintain crunch. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Ensure pasta is completely cool before adding dressing to prevent mayo from breaking. Use fresh lemon juice and grated parmesan for best texture and flavor. Add croutons only at serving time to keep them crunchy. The salad improves in flavor after chilling overnight.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 450
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 680
Fat: 28
Saturated Fat: 7
Carbohydrates: 35
Fiber: 2
Protein: 22

Keywords: chicken caesar pasta salad, potluck recipes, pasta salad, easy dinner, meal prep, crowd pleaser, caesar dressing