Description
A vibrant and easy-to-make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad featuring tender grilled chicken, crisp romaine lettuce, smoky turkey bacon, creamy natural Caesar dressing, and bowtie pasta. This refreshing salad offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, ideal for lunches, dinners, or gatherings, with customizable options to suit any preference.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Main Ingredients
- 2 grilled chicken breasts, seasoned and cubed
- 8 oz bowtie pasta
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan-style cheese (plant-based), shredded
Dressing
- 1/2 cup Caesar dressing (natural)
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool it down for your salad.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the smoked turkey bacon until crisp, about 4-6 minutes. Remove from pan, place on paper towels to drain excess fat, and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Grill or Pan-Sear the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Grill on medium-high heat or pan-sear for approximately 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Allow to rest, then chop into cubes.
- Make the Creamy Dressing (Natural): In a small bowl, whisk together vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and Caesar dressing (natural). Taste and season with salt and pepper to balance flavors.
- Combine All Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled pasta, chopped romaine lettuce, grilled chicken cubes, crumbled smoked turkey bacon, and Parmesan-style cheese (plant-based). Drizzle the creamy dressing (natural) over the salad and toss gently until well coated.
Notes
- Use chilled pasta to keep your salad fresh and prevent overdrying.
- Cook bacon until extra crisp for a wonderful texture contrast.
- Prep grilled chicken and dressing a day in advance to save time.
- Adjust dressing consistency by adding a splash of olive oil if too thick.
- Always taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling and Pan-Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, Grilled Chicken Salad, Creamy Caesar Pasta, Healthy Pasta Salad, Easy Chicken Salad
