If you love a classic Caesar salad, wait until you try it in pasta salad form! This Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad combines tender grilled chicken, crispy bacon, creamy Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, fresh vegetables, and rotini pasta for an easy, flavor-packed dish.
The best part is how simple this pasta salad is to make. Grill your chicken, cook your bacon and pasta, chop everything up, toss it together with creamy Caesar dressing, and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
It's the perfect recipe for summer cookouts, BBQs, potlucks, parties, or an easy make ahead lunch.
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Why I Love This Recipe
- Packed with protein
- Great for meal prep
- Perfect for summer BBQs
- Creamy Caesar flavor in every bite
- Ready in about 30 minutes plus chilling time
Ingredients
- Rotini pasta
- Chicken thighs
- Bacon
- Cucumber
- Cherry tomatoes
- Creamy Caesar dressing
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Croutons
- BBQ Seasoning (or Ninjacue All Night)
See recipe card for quantities.
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Instructions
Step 1: grill the Chicken
Season chicken thighs with BBQ seasoning and grill over medium-high heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Remove the chicken from the grill and allow it to rest for a few minutes before chopping it into bite-sized pieces.
step 2: cook the pasta
Cook the rotini according to the package directions until al dente. About 7-8 minutes.
Step 3: Start Combining
Cook and chop bacon.
Dice the cucumber and slice the cherry tomatoes.
Combine them into a large bowl.
Step 4: Cheese and dressing
Add Croutons, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, and creamy Caesar dressing.
Step 5: Mix it together
Toss everything together until the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Pro Tips
- Let the pasta cool. Adding hot pasta to the salad can make the dressing thin and cause the vegetables to soften.
- Use grilled chicken thighs. Chicken thighs stay juicy and add more flavor than chicken breast, making them perfect for this pasta salad.
- Don't skimp on the Parmesan. The Parmesan gives this salad that classic Caesar flavor.
- Chill before serving. At least 30 minutes in the refrigerator allows all the flavors to come together.
Final Bite.
This Chicken Bacon Caesar Pasta Salad takes everything you love about a classic Caesar salad and turns it into a hearty, creamy pasta salad that's perfect for any occasion.
You've got juicy grilled chicken, crispy bacon, creamy Caesar dressing, plenty of cheese, fresh vegetables, and crunchy croutons all tossed with rotini pasta. It's easy to make, easy to prepare ahead of time, and guaranteed to disappear at your next BBQ or potluck.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Chicken Bacon Caesar Pasta Salad
This Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is loaded with grilled chicken, crispy bacon, creamy Caesar dressing, cheese, fresh veggies, and rotini pasta. Perfect for BBQs, potlucks, and summer gatherings!
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken thighs, chopped
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
- 1½ cups creamy Caesar dressing
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup croutons
- 2 tablespoon BBQ seasoning
Instructions
- Grill chicken thighs over medium-high heat until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Let rest, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels, then chop.
- Cook rotini according to package directions until al dente. Drain and allow to cool.
- Dice the cucumber and slice the cherry tomatoes.
- Add cooled rotini, chicken, bacon, cucumber, tomatoes, Parmesan, mozzarella, and Caesar dressing to a large bowl.
- Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Fold in the croutons or reserve them until serving for maximum crunch.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Toss again before serving. Add additional Caesar dressing if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish, Snack
- Cuisine: American
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