Caesar Pasta Chicken Bowl (Printable)

Grilled chicken, pasta, and crisp romaine tossed in creamy Caesar dressing with Parmesan and croutons.

# What You Need:

→ Protein & Pasta

01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 oz)
02 - 9 oz short pasta (penne, rotini, or farfalle)

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Dressing & Toppings

05 - ½ cup Caesar dressing
06 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1 cup garlic croutons
08 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Marinade

09 - 1 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1 tsp garlic powder
11 - ½ tsp salt
12 - ¼ tsp black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly if serving chilled.
02 - While pasta cooks, preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
03 - Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
04 - Grill chicken for 6–7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
05 - In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, and Caesar dressing. Toss gently to coat.
06 - Top with sliced grilled chicken, Parmesan, croutons, and black pepper. Serve immediately warm, or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving cold.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The temperature contrast between warm pasta and cool lettuce is unexpectedly delightful
  • It hits all the Caesar cravings without needing to wash a head of lettuce for a traditional salad
  • The pasta actually makes the dressing go further so every bite is perfectly coated
02 -
  • The pasta should be just warm, not piping hot, or the lettuce will wilt into sadness
  • Grilling chicken breasts too fast makes them tough, so medium high heat is your friend here
  • Adding the dressing to the pasta before adding the lettuce helps distribute it more evenly
03 -
  • Toast your croutons with a little minced garlic and olive oil for maximum impact
  • Let the pasta cool for at least 5 minutes before mixing with lettuce so it stays crisp
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