Caesar Pasta Chicken Bowl (Printer version)

Vibrant bowl with grilled chicken, pasta, romaine, and Caesar dressing. A 35-minute meal perfect for any occasion.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein & Pasta

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (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

# Directions:

01 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water 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 with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
04 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Let 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.
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 -
  • The warm chicken against cool crisp lettuce creates this amazing temperature contrast that keeps every bite interesting
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes making it perfect for those weeknights when you are hungry but tired
  • The leftovers actually taste better the next day once all the flavors have had time to mingle
02 -
  • Slicing chicken against the grain after resting makes each bite tender instead of chewy
  • Adding dressing to slightly warm pasta helps it absorb flavor better than completely cold pasta
  • The croutons go soggy quickly so add them right before serving or pack them separately for leftovers
03 -
  • Grill extra chicken on Sunday and use it throughout the week for quick lunches
  • Making your own croutons from day old bread takes five minutes and tastes infinitely better
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