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Chicken Caesar Salad: A Quick, Flavorful Dish
Emily

Chicken Caesar Salad: A Quick, Flavorful Dish

A tangy and satisfying chicken Caesar salad with crispy romaine, rotini pasta, and a Dijon-lemon dressing. Quick to assemble and packed with umami from Parmesan and anchovy paste, this dish balances rustic and gourmet flavors perfectly.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Contemporary
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp anchovy paste (optional)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 oz rotini or penne pasta
  • 2 romaine hearts (or 2 heads of Butterhead lettuce)
  • 2 cups chopped cooked chicken

Method
 

  1. Whisk Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mayonnaise, garlic, and anchovy paste (if using) until smooth. Add Parmesan and mix.
  2. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  3. Rip romaine into bite-sized pieces and toss with cooled pasta.
  4. Combine salad with chicken and dressing; toss gently to coat.
  5. Adjust seasoning with black pepper and additional lemon juice if needed.

Notes

Use non-pasteurized lemon juice for bright flavor. Substitute whole-grain mustard for texture.
Rotisserie chicken saves time and adds flavor.
Rinse romaine in cold water for extra crispiness.
Skip anchovy paste for a lighter umami boost from Parmesan only.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 24 hours.