Caesar Chicken Pasta Salad

The ultimate potluck salad loved by kids and adults! Imagine: A creamy, cool Caesar salad full of protein and flavor. This is a GREAT send over meal to help out a sick friend, new mother, or to welcome a new neighbor.

Why Caesar Chicken Pasta Salad is in Our Playbook

• It’s a great way to use leftover chicken….or rotisserie chicken!
• MAKE AHEAD OF TIME – assemble at the tailgate or just before serving.
• This salad is a good meal on busy, hot days – it has protein, pasta for full tummies, and greens!
• POTLUCK CITY! Everyone comes back for more.
• Every cookout benefits from this fresh, hearty salad! It’s a good side dish!

The Players on the Field: Caesar Chicken Pasta Salad

• Freshly chopped romaine lettuce.
• Bottled Caesar salad dressing.
• Cooked, chopped chicken (leftover chicken & rotisserie chicken work well).
• Shredded parmesan cheese.
• Bacon! Oh yes, lots of cooked, chopped bacon makes this salad a stunner!

If you are looking for a super yummy traditional Chicken Salad Recipe, here is my favorite one! Or, if you are a romaine lettuce fan, I suggest your duck over to see my Mandarin Orange Salad with Chopped Romaine and Iceberg Lettuce. Look at all this fresh, colorful yumminess right here:

ANYWAY…..Let’s get back to our game!

PRO TIP: Caesar Chicken Pasta Salad

If you plan to make this salad ahead of time, wait to add the chopped romaine lettuce until just before serving. This will keep your lettuce fresh & crisp!

I pack the chopped romaine in a zip lock baggie with a paper towel. The paper towel helps absorb any extra moisture remaining on the lettuce.

Keep your Caesar Chicken Pasta salad cold during transport! I use glass bowls with plastic lids like the ones in the picture below if I am taking the salad to a friends house, or if I am serving it for lunch or supper. However, for my tailgate cooler, I use inexpensive plastic containers like these.