Caesar Pasta Chicken Bowl (Print Version)

Tender grilled chicken meets al dente pasta, crisp romaine, and creamy Caesar dressing in this vibrant bowl—perfect warm or chilled.

# Ingredients List:

→ Protein & Pasta

01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 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 (optional)

→ Dressing & Toppings

05 - 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
06 - 1/2 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 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly if serving chilled.
02 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat while pasta cooks.
03 - Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and season evenly with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
04 - Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side 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 if using, and Caesar dressing. Toss gently to coat evenly.
06 - Top with sliced grilled chicken, Parmesan, croutons, and black pepper. Serve immediately warm, or refrigerate for 30 minutes for cold serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Its the perfect marriage of satisfying pasta and classic Caesar flavors in one bowl
  • Works beautifully for meal prep and actually tastes better the next day
  • The warm chicken against cold lettuce creates that irresistible temperature contrast restaurants nail
02 -
  • Don't rinse your pasta after draining. The starch helps the dressing cling to every piece.
  • Let the chicken rest before slicing. Cutting into hot meat immediately releases all those precious juices.
  • Add the croutons last. They'll get soggy if they sit in dressing too long.
03 -
  • Double the dressing portion and use the extra as a marinade for the chicken
  • Toast your Parmesan in a dry pan for 2 minutes before sprinkling. It becomes nutty and extraordinary.
Go Back