If you love classic Caesar salad but want something a little more filling, this Caesar pasta salad recipe is about to become one of your favorite salads. It combines crispy romaine, tender pasta, juicy chicken, and creamy Caesar dressing for a delicious meal that works as both a side dish or main course.
The best part? Instead of regular pasta, this recipe crisps the pasta in the air fryer for a golden brown crunch that takes this chicken Caesar pasta salad recipe to the next level. Crispy pasta instead of crunchy croutons, parmesan cheese, chicken and a creamy dressing and you have a great balanced meal that comes together in just 35 minutes.
Whether you're making this for a quick weeknight dinner, meal prep, or serving it at a gathering, this great salad is packed with simple ingredients and tons of best flavor.
If you love this recipe make sure you check out my Healthy BLT Chicken Pasta Salad, Zesty Quinoa Salad, Healthy Boursin and Pasta Bake.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Crispy pasta is a game changer- Air frying the pasta creates an irresistible crunchy texture.
- Protein-packed- With juicy chicken and protein pasta, it's filling enough for a main course.
- Quick and easy- Ready in just 35 minutes with simple steps.
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Ingredients
Everything you need to make this delicious pasta salad:
- Barilla Protein+ Farfalle Pasta: A protein-packed bowtie pasta that cooks up tender and holds its shape well, making it perfect for crispy pasta and hearty pasta salad recipes.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Chicken Thighs: Lean, flavorful chicken that becomes juicy chicken when air fried and adds satisfying protein to this chicken Caesar pasta salad recipe.
- Avocado Oil: A high-heat friendly oil that helps season the chicken and crisp the pasta to a golden brown finish for the best results.
- Salt: A simple seasoning that enhances the flavor of the tender pasta, chicken, and the rest of the salad ingredients.
- Black Pepper: Adds a subtle warmth and balances the richness of the creamy Caesar dressing.
- Garlic Powder: Brings savory depth to both the chicken and pasta, helping build that classic Caesar-style flavor.
- Onion Powder: Adds a mild sweetness and extra savory layer that complements the chicken and creamy dressing.
- Caesar Dressing: A rich creamy Caesar salad dressing that ties the whole salad together and delivers the classic Caesar flavor in every bite.
- Romaine Lettuce: Crisp, refreshing romaine lettuce that adds fresh crunch and balances the warm crispy pasta and chicken.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly shredded parmesan cheese that adds salty, nutty flavor and finishes the salad with that signature Caesar touch.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente pasta forms. Once cooked, drain water and transfer the pasta to a bowl.
- Season the Chicken-Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs in a bowl. Season with: ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder. Add the olive oil (or avocado oil) and mix until fully coated.
- Cook the Chicken- Air fry the chicken at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board, let rest for 5 minutes, then chop into bite-sized pieces
- Crisp the Pasta- Spray the cooked pasta lightly with avocado oil and season with ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder. Place the pasta in the air fryer at 400°F for 8-12 minutes, tossing halfway through until golden brown and crispy.
- Assemble the Salad- In a large salad bowl or large mixing bowl, add chopped romaine, crispy pasta, chopped chicken and drizzle with creamy Caesar salad dressing and toss until everything is coated. Top with freshly shredded parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Substitutions
- Barilla Protein+ Farfalle Pasta: Swap with penne pasta, rotini, or any different pasta shapes you prefer. Use gluten-free pasta to make the recipe gluten-free, or whole wheat pasta for extra fiber.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts or Chicken Thighs: Use store-bought rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken to save time. For a vegetarian option, swap with white beans, crispy tofu, or roasted chickpeas.
- Parmesan Cheese: Swap with pecorino romano for a sharper flavor, or use dairy-free parmesan to make the recipe dairy-free.
- Caesar Dressing: Use your favorite brand of dressing, or make a homemade Caesar dressing using lemon juice, garlic cloves, dijon mustard, anchovy paste, worcestershire sauce, and olive oil. For dairy-free, choose a dairy-free Caesar dressing.
Variations
- Bacon Lover's Version - Sprinkle in crispy bacon or bacon bits for a smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy Caesar dressing.
- Veggie Boost - Add cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, or cucumbers for extra color, freshness, and nutrients.
- Extra Protein - Toss in white beans, grilled shrimp, or extra juicy chicken to make it a heartier main course.
- Lemon Brightness - Add a squeeze of lemon juice and a little zest to brighten the creamy dressing and balance the richness.
- Garlic Lovers - Mix in roasted or sautéed garlic cloves for deeper savory flavor throughout the salad.
- Spicy Caesar - Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne for a little heat that takes this salad to the next level.
Equipment
- Large pot for cooking pasta
- Large skillet (optional if pan-cooking chicken)
- Air fryer
- Large mixing bowl
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Paper towel
- Airtight container for storage
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- It will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
- For the best flavor, store the dressing separately and toss before serving.
- If the pasta softens, you can crisp it again in the air fryer for a few minutes.
Christina's Dietitian Tip
Adding protein and fiber helps make a salad more satisfying. This recipe uses protein pasta and juicy chicken, which helps keep you fuller longer and stabilizes blood sugar compared to traditional pasta salad recipes.
Pairing crisp lettuce, protein, and healthy fats from olive oil-based Caesar dressing turns this into a balanced meal that works great as a light meal or dinner.
FAQ
Yes! For the best results, store the pasta, chicken, lettuce, and dressing separately in an airtight container and assemble right before serving. This keeps the crispy romaine and pasta from getting soggy. I would wait to crisp up the pasta until right before serving.
Bowtie pasta (farfalle) works great because it holds the creamy dressing well. You can also use penne pasta, rotini, or other different pasta shapes depending on what you have.
After cooking the al dente pasta, air fry it until golden brown. If it softens after storing, reheat it in the air fryer for a few minutes to bring back the crispiness.
Stored in an airtight container, this salad will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. If possible, store the creamy Caesar dressing separately for the freshest texture.
Salads
If you are looking for more salad recipes take a look at these:
Dinner
here are some other dinner options:
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Crispy Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe With Chicken
Equipment
- Large pot for cooking pasta
- Large skillet (optional if pan-cooking chicken)
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Paper towel
- Airtight container for storage
Ingredients
- 1 box (14.5 oz) Barilla Protein+ bowtie pasta
- 1-1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3 -4 tablespoon creamy Caesar dressing such as Brianna's avocado oil dressing
- 8 oz crisp romaine lettuce chopped
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente pasta forms. Once cooked, drain water and transfer the pasta to a bowl.
- Season the Chicken-Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs in a bowl. Season with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, add the olive oil (or avocado oil) and mix until fully coated.
- Cook the Chicken-Air fry the chicken at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board, let rest for 5 minutes, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Crisp the Pasta-Spray the cooked pasta lightly with avocado oil and season with ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder. Place the pasta in the air fryer at 400°F for 8-12 minutes, tossing halfway through until golden brown and crispy.
- Assemble the Salad- In a large salad bowl or large mixing bowl, add chopped romaine, crispy pasta, chopped chicken, drizzle with creamy Caesar salad dressing and toss until everything is coated. Top with freshly shredded parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
- See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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