Description
A creamy, protein-packed cold pasta salad that stays fresh in the lunchbox. This easy meal prep recipe uses rotini, grilled chicken, and a homemade Caesar dressing for a stress-free school lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces (340g) Rotini or Penne Pasta
- 1.5 pounds (680g) Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup (120g) Full-fat Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (60g) Plain Greek Yogurt
- ½ cup (50g) Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Anchovy paste (optional)
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups Romaine lettuce, chopped finely
- 1 cup Croutons
- ½ cup Bacon bits, crumbled
- Cold water (for rinsing pasta)
- Pasta water (reserved, for thinning dressing)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Drain pasta in a colander and rinse immediately under cold water to stop cooking. Shake off excess water and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Poach, grill, or bake until cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Parmesan, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and anchovy paste until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the cooled pasta and toss to coat. Add chicken, tomatoes, and lettuce; toss again.
- If the mixture is too dry, add a splash of reserved pasta water or extra mayo.
- Fold in half of the croutons and bacon bits. Reserve the remaining croutons for topping later.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 4 hours or overnight, to let flavors meld.
- Before serving, stir well, top with remaining croutons and extra Parmesan, and serve cold.
Notes
Rinsing the pasta with cold water is crucial to prevent mushiness. Use full-fat mayo for the best texture. Keep croutons separate until serving to maintain crunch. This salad tastes better the next day. Do not freeze as the dressing will separate.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 22
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Keywords: chicken caesar pasta salad, back to school lunch, meal prep, cold pasta salad, easy lunch ideas, kid-friendly lunch