Caesar Pasta Chicken Bowl (Printable)

Vibrant bowl with grilled chicken, pasta, romaine, and creamy Caesar dressing. Serve warm or chilled.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein & Pasta

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, approximately 14 oz
02 - 9 oz short pasta such as penne, rotini, or farfalle

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Dressing & Toppings

05 - ½ cup Caesar dressing
06 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1 cup garlic croutons
08 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Marinade

09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - ½ teaspoon salt
12 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

# Method:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly if serving chilled.
02 - While pasta cooks, preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
03 - Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and season generously with garlic powder, salt, and pepper on both sides.
04 - Place seasoned chicken on preheated grill pan and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, chopped romaine, halved cherry tomatoes, and Caesar dressing. Toss gently until evenly coated.
06 - Distribute pasta mixture into serving bowls. Top each bowl with sliced grilled chicken, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic croutons, and freshly ground black pepper.
07 - Serve immediately while warm, or refrigerate for 30 minutes and serve chilled.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • Its the perfect bridge between a hearty pasta dinner and a crisp refreshing salad when you cant decide which craving to satisfy
  • You can serve it warm for cozy comfort or chilled for those sweltering summer days when cooking feels impossible
02 -
  • The pasta should be slightly warmer than room temperature when you toss it with the cold lettuce or the contrast feels jarring
  • Dressing the pasta before adding the lettuce prevents the leaves from getting soggy and wilted
03 -
  • Save some pasta water to thin the dressing if it seems too thick to coat everything evenly
  • Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice right before serving to brighten all the rich creamy elements
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