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Crunchy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad For Meal Prep With Golden Chicken And

Crunchy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad for Meal Prep

Crunchy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad for Meal Prep combines golden chicken, cool rotini, romaine, Parmesan, and creamy dressing in 35 minutes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 376
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cutlets 1/2-inch thick
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder for seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for skillet
Pasta Salad
  • 6 ounces rotini pasta dry
  • 8 cups romaine lettuce chopped and dried
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt Caesar dressing refrigerated
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
  • 1 cup seasoned croutons bite-size
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • 12-Inch Skillet
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Instant-Read Thermometer

Method
 

Cook the Pasta and Chicken
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 teaspoon of the salt.
  2. While the water heats, pat the chicken dry. Season it with the remaining salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
  3. Add the rotini to the boiling water and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until golden and 165°F in the center.
  5. Drain the pasta, rinse briefly under cool water, and shake the colander well. Let the pasta cool completely.
  6. Rest the chicken for 5 minutes, then slice it into bite-size strips.
Assemble the Salad
  1. Stir the Caesar dressing and lemon juice together. Toss with the cooled pasta, romaine, and Parmesan.
  2. Fold in the sliced chicken. Add the croutons immediately before serving.

Notes

Refrigerate components separately for up to 3 days, keeping the romaine and croutons away from the dressed pasta until serving. Full-fat Caesar dressing may replace the Greek yogurt dressing, though the nutrition will change.