Fresh Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Bowl Easy Recipe for School Lunch
A quick and easy pasta salad with Caesar dressing, rotisserie chicken, and fresh romaine that holds up well in a lunchbox and is kid-approved.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces rotini or bowtie pasta
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded or chopped
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- ¼ cup shaved or grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 garlic clove, minced finely
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Optional: croutons or crispy bacon bits for topping
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil to keep it from clumping. Set aside to cool slightly (about 10 minutes).
- While pasta cooks, whisk together ½ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 minced garlic clove in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Adjust lemon or mustard if desired.
- Wash and dry 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopping into bite-sized pieces. Halve ½ cup cherry tomatoes if using. Shred or chop 1 cup rotisserie chicken into small chunks.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chopped lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Pour the Caesar dressing over the top and gently toss until everything is evenly coated, taking care not to bruise the lettuce.
- Taste the salad and add extra salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon if needed. Sprinkle croutons or bacon bits on top if desired. Pack the salad in a lunch container with a tight-fitting lid and keep refrigerated until ready to eat.
Notes
For best texture, cook pasta al dente and cool completely before mixing. Keep dressing separate if prepping ahead to avoid soggy lettuce. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances flavor. For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or low-fat mayo. Gluten-free pasta options like brown rice or chickpea pasta work well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1½ cups (350 g
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 43
- Fiber: 3.5
- Protein: 32
Keywords: chicken pasta salad, Caesar pasta salad, school lunch recipe, easy pasta salad, rotisserie chicken salad, kid-friendly lunch