Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad + Recipe VIDEO

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is easy to make with romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes and a lightened up Caesar dressing. Gluten-free and perfect for summer potlucks and barbecues and comes with all the traditional flavors found in a classic Caesar salad with grain-free, paleo, low carb and keto options. 

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Updated June 2021

Healthy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe

Looking for a light and healthy lunch for summer? This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is a fun spin on the traditional Caesar salad made with healthier and gluten-free ingredients. Pasta salads are always a delicious crowd-pleaser and perfect for lunch, a light dinner and spring and summer potlucks, picnics, cookouts and backyard BBQs.

Want more gluten-free pasta salad recipes? Check out our Summer Pasta Salad, Broccoli Pasta Salad, Caprese Pasta Salad or our Avocado Spinach Pasta Salad.

Ingredients you need:

For the gluten-free pasta salad

• Dried pasta– any gluten-free or grain free pasta brand you like. We love these grain-free pastas from Jovial, or Almond Love for Keto. If you are looking for a chickpea or lentil based pasta, you can use Banza pasta shells that are made with chickpeas.
• Romaine lettuce- roughly chopped
• Cherry or grape tomatoes– cut in half
• Green onion- thinly sliced
• Fresh basil- thinly sliced
• Salt and pepper
• Cooked chicken – diced (grilled, roasted or rotisserie would work great). Leave out for meatless.

Optional:

• Chopped nuts or roasted chickpeas – or add in your favorite cooked protein.
• Croutons – homemade & made with gluten free or keto bread; optional
• Parmesan cheese – shaved or grated. Use dairy-free parmesan as needed. We like Violife.

For the creamy homemade dressing

You can our homemade Vegan Caesar dressing recipe or use your favorite store bought. We like Primal Kitchen.

• Plain Greek yogurt – or use your favorite dairy free plain yogurt. We like Kitehill plain almond milk yogurt or Culina Plain and Simple.
• Parmesan cheese- substitute with vegan parmesan cheese. We like Violife.
• Lemon juice- freshly squeezed
• Olive oil – or water to thin out the dressing.
• Dijon mustard – or your favorite grainy mustard.
• Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic- minced
• Anchovy paste – or sub with finely diced anchovy fillets. Optional but highly recommended for the best flavor. For a vegan option, you can sub with 2 teaspoon of finely diced capers and 2 teaspoon of caper juice from the jar.
• Fine Sea Salt and freshly cracked black pepper – to taste

How To Make this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

MAKE THE DRESSING:

1. BLEND: In a small food processor or a high-speed blender, add all the dressing ingredients and puree until creamy and smooth. Or alternatively, you may add all ingredients to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously until mixture is well-blended.
2. SEASON TO TASTE: Season with additional salt and pepper if needed, and add 1-2 teaspoons milk or water if needed to thin out the dressing to your desired consistency.

ASSEMBLE THE SALAD:

1. ASSEMBLE: In a large bowl, mix the pasta with enough dressing to coat evenly. Cover and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes.
2. TOSS: Toss in the rest of the ingredients, except for the croutons. Pour the remainder of the dressing on top of the salad and gently toss to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper, as needed.
3. SERVE: Sprinkle with the optional grated Parmesan and croutons. Serve immediately or cover and chill in the fridge for up to 3 hours.

Make Ahead Tips

• Cook the pasta ahead of time and store in a large reusable container in the refrigerator.
• Wash and chop the lettuce and tomatoes in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Make the dressing in advance and store in a resealable jar in the refrigerator.

How To Store This Gluten Free Pasta Recipe

This easy Chicken Caesar pasta salad will last in the refrigerator for up to four days, and it is perfect for meal prep. Divide the cooked pasta into reusable airtight containers. This is our favorite lunch container. Here are a few of our other favorites for storing food:

• Glass meal prep containers – Divided containers with 2 compartments are great if you want to include a portion of salad plus a side of protein or fruit.
• Jars with lids – Mason jars are great for portioning out salads and they make your fridge look Pinterest-worthy. We love these reusable plastic jar lids for everything you can put in a jar. And for dressings and sauces, these flip-top lids are a must-have!
• Silicone bags – The great thing about silicone bags is that they can be re-used, are dishwasher-safe and don’t absorb odors. We LOVE stand-up bags from Stasher for their 56-ounce capacity and the fact that they stand up minimizing any risk of leakage.

More healthy salad recipes you will love:

Kale Salad with Avocado Caesar Dressing

Vegan Caesar Salad

Cobb Salad

Pasta Salad Four Ways

Teriyaki Chicken Caesar Salad

4.6 from 5 votes

Print

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

25 mins

 

This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is easy to make with romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes and a lightened up Caesar dressing. Gluten-free and perfect for summer potlucks and barbecues and comes with all the traditional flavors found in a classic Caesar salad with grain-free, paleo, low carb and keto options. 

Course: Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken caesar pasta salad, pasta salad with chicken

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 282 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

Dressing (or use 1 cup of your favorite Caesar salad dressing):

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt a thicker Greek yogurt brand works best .Sub with dairy-free yogurt as needed. We like Kitehill plain almond milk yogurt or Culina Plain and Simple.
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese , sub with dairy-free Parmesan cheese as needed. We like Violife.
• 3 Tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 teaspoons anchovy paste or 2 anchovy fillets finely diced , optional but highly recommended. For a vegan option, you can sub with 2 teaspoons of finely diced capers and 2 teaspoons of caper juice from the jar.
• salt and black pepper to taste

For the Salad:

• 3 cups dried gluten-free pasta cooked according to package directions and cooled (I used gluten-free farfalle)
• 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped
• 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes cut into halves
• 1 green onion thinly sliced
• 1 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1-2 cups cooked chicken breasts diced (grilled, roasted or rotisserie would work great). Leave out for meatless.
• 1 cup gluten-free croutons

Instructions

1. To make the dressing: In a small food processor or a high speed blender, add all the dressing ingredients and puree until creamy and smooth. Or alternatively, you may add all ingredients to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously until mixture is well-blended. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed, and add 1-2 teaspoons milk or water if needed to thin out the dressing to your desired consistency.
   
2. To assemble the salad: In a large bowl, mix the pasta with enough dressing to coat evenly. Cover and chill in the fridge for 10 minutes. Toss in the rest of the ingredients, except for the croutons. Pour the remainder of the dressing on top of the salad and gently toss to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper, as needed.
3. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and croutons. Serve immediately or cover and chill in the fridge for up to 3 hours.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

You can prep the dressing and coat the pasta up to 2 days ahead before assembling with the rest of the salad ingredients. Just keep in an airtight covered container.

Nutrition Facts

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Amount Per Serving (1 serving (1/6 recipe))

Calories 282 Calories from Fat 81

% Daily Value*

Fat 9g14%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Cholesterol 28mg9%

Sodium 260mg11%

Potassium 280mg8%

Carbohydrates 30g10%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 2g2%

Protein 19g38%

Vitamin A 2845IU57%

Vitamin C 5.1mg6%

Calcium 177mg18%

Iron 1.3mg7%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.