Caesar Pasta Chicken Bowl (Printable)

Vibrant bowl with grilled chicken, pasta, romaine, and creamy Caesar dressing. Perfect 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 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions 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 evenly with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
04 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
05 - In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, and Caesar dressing. Toss gently to coat all ingredients.
06 - Top with sliced grilled chicken, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and freshly ground black pepper.
07 - Serve immediately warm, or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving cold.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It works hot or cold, so you can meal prep it Sunday and eat it straight from the fridge all week without reheating.
  • The creamy dressing clings to every piece of pasta and leaf, giving you that restaurant Caesar experience in a bowl you can eat with a fork.
02 -
  • If you skip the resting step after grilling, all the juices will run out onto your cutting board and leave the chicken dry and disappointing.
  • Toss the pasta and greens together while the pasta is still slightly warm so the dressing melts into everything instead of sitting on top in a puddle.
03 -
  • Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the finished bowl to brighten the flavors and cut through the richness of the dressing.
  • If you want extra umami, toss in a few chopped anchovies or a spoonful of their oil before mixing everything together.
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