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Easy Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Jars

Easy Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Jars - featured image

A quick and easy creamy chicken Caesar pasta salad layered in jars, perfect for portable lunches with a crunchy, creamy, and tangy flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (200g) cooked pasta (rotini or penne), cooled
  • 1 cup (150g) rotisserie chicken, shredded
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped (optional)
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons (15g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup (about 30g) homemade or store-bought croutons
  • Extra grated Parmesan for garnish

Instructions

  1. Boil 2 cups (200g) of pasta in salted water according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and black pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  3. Shred about 1 cup rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  4. Halve 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes and chop 1 cup romaine lettuce if using.
  5. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, shredded chicken, cherry tomatoes, and romaine lettuce. Pour dressing over and toss gently to coat.
  6. Spoon about 1/2 cup of the dressed salad into each mason jar. Top with 1/2 cup croutons and sprinkle extra Parmesan on top.
  7. Seal jars tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Shake or pour onto a plate before eating.

Notes

Add croutons just before eating to keep them crunchy. Cool pasta completely before mixing to avoid sogginess. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor. Dressing can be swapped with Greek yogurt for a lighter option. Can substitute chicken with grilled chicken breast or leftover turkey. Optional romaine lettuce adds crunch but can be omitted.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken pasta salad, Caesar pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, meal prep salad, lunch jars, easy pasta salad, rotisserie chicken recipe