Description
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad offers a vibrant twist on the classic Caesar salad by incorporating tender shredded rotisserie chicken, al dente pasta, and nutrient-rich kale. Tossed with tangy lemon juice, savory capers, shaved Parmesan cheese, and creamy Caesar dressing, this salad is topped with crispy homemade herb and garlic croutons for added texture. Perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner, it serves 12 and comes together in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 2-3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 16 ounces pasta
- 6 cups thinly sliced kale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for drizzling the pasta
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- Zest of 1 lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
- 4 ounce jar capers, drained
- 5 ounces shaved Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
- 1 1/2 cups Caesar dressing
- 2 cups homemade herb and garlic croutons
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss immediately with a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and fresh cracked pepper. Spread out the pasta to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare the kale: Place thinly sliced kale in a large serving bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and juice of 1 lemon. Add a couple large pinches of kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper. Massage the kale for several minutes until it softens, wilts, and turns a bright green color. Stir in the lemon zest evenly.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooled pasta, drained capers, and shaved Parmesan cheese to the kale bowl. Reserve a small amount of Parmesan for garnish.
- Add dressing: Drizzle the Caesar dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
- Add croutons: If serving the salad immediately, gently fold in the crispy homemade herb and garlic croutons. If serving later, wait to add the croutons just before serving to maintain their crunch, along with an additional drizzle of dressing if desired.
- Final toss and garnish: Toss the salad once more to ensure even distribution. Garnish with extra shaved Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper. Serve and enjoy!
- Optional feedback: If you loved this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating and review to share your experience!
Notes
- Make sure to salt the pasta water generously to flavor the pasta.
- Massaging the kale with lemon juice and olive oil helps soften the tough leaves and reduce bitterness.
- Adding croutons just before serving keeps them crispy and prevents sogginess.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container but keep croutons separate until ready to eat.
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken for convenience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
