Chicken Bacon Caesar Pasta Salad 🥗🍗🥓
A rich, flavorful, and satisfying pasta salad loaded with tender chicken, crispy bacon, crunchy croutons, and creamy Caesar dressing—perfect for a quick lunch or dinner!
Ingredients 🛒
For the Salad:
-
1.5 lbs chicken breasts or tenderloins, diced
-
2 tbsp poultry seasoning (Cajun, lemon pepper, or your choice)
-
8 strips bacon, diced
-
1 lb short pasta (rotini, fusilli, or penne)
-
12 oz romaine lettuce, chopped
-
½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese (+ extra for topping)
-
½ cup garlic butter croutons, partially crushed
-
1 tsp salad seasoning (or to taste)
-
½ cup Caesar dressing
-
⅓ cup ranch dressing
-
2 tbsp olive oil
Optional Homemade Caesar Dressing:
-
1 cup mayonnaise
-
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
-
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
-
3 cloves garlic, minced
-
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
-
¾ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
-
¼ tsp salt
-
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions ⏱️
1️⃣ Cook the Bacon:
-
Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Cook diced bacon until crispy.
-
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and drain excess grease from the skillet.
2️⃣ Cook the Chicken:
-
Season diced chicken with your preferred poultry seasoning.
-
Add olive oil to the same skillet and cook chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Set aside.
3️⃣ Cook the Pasta:
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
-
Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
-
Drain and rinse with cold water to cool it down.
4️⃣ Assemble the Salad:
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked chicken, bacon, Parmesan cheese, salad seasoning, Caesar dressing, and ranch dressing. Mix well.
-
If storing leftovers, do not mix in the romaine lettuce and croutons yet to prevent wilting and sogginess.
5️⃣ Serve & Garnish:
-
Just before serving, mix in romaine lettuce and croutons for extra crunch.
-
Top with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of salad seasoning.
Serving & Nutrition 🍽️
✅ Prep Time: 15 minutes
✅ Cook Time: 20 minutes
✅ Total Time: 35 minutes
✅ Category: Main Course, Salad
✅ Servings: 6
✅ Calories (approx.): Varies based on ingredients
This Chicken Bacon Caesar Pasta Salad is creamy, savory, and packed with texture, making it an absolute crowd-pleaser! Enjoy it fresh or chilled. 😋
