Chicken and Bacon Caesar Pasta Salad

This delicious chicken and bacon Caesar pasta salad is packed with rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, romaine lettuce, croutons, cheese, and Caesar salad dressing.

Pasta salad is a classic dish that I’ve always loved. Whether served as a main course or a side, I’ve always enjoyed adding a tasty pasta salad to the mix. For years, I’ve been making all sorts of pasta salads for dinner or for potlucks. From simple affairs for a BBQ side to more involved recipes to serve as a main course, pasta salad has always been one of my favorite recipes to make. This delicious chicken and bacon Caesar pasta salad has become one of my all-time favorites over the past several months. I love all the flavors, and I love that it can pull double duty as either a main course or a flavorful side for parties.

Chicken and Bacon Caesar Pasta Salad

This delicious pasta salad combines all the great flavors of Caesar salad with the sensibilities of pasta salad. It features all our favorite flavors like chicken, bacon, Caesar dressing, and parmesan cheese. It even has romaine lettuce. However, instead of stopping there, it’s all combined with bowtie pasta to create a pasta salad that is truly in a class of its own. It’s literally two amazing salads combined into one super salad that everyone always seems to love – even the kids.

Variations

One of my favorite things about any pasta salad is how versatile they are. You can easily change up almost all aspects of any pasta salad to create a little twist on your favorite recipe or make something altogether new. This delicious pasta salad is no exception. There are all kinds of fun ways to play with this dish.

Chicken

You can use any kind of chicken you like with this recipe. I use a rotisserie chicken because I don’t have to cook it, and it’s easy to shred. However, if you have leftover chicken, this pasta salad is a great way to use it up. You can even use frozen breaded chicken tenders for a different flavor and texture in your pasta salad.

Different Meat

Chicken works very well in this salad, but it’s not the only meat you can use. Some other great options include:

• Shredded beef or pork
• Shredded turkey
• Turkey bacon
• Anchovies

Different Cheese

Parmesan cheese is a classic with the flavors in this chicken and bacon Caesar pasta salad, but there are other great additions that you can try. Use any kind of cheese that you’d normally use in a Caesar salad with this recipe. Two of my favorites are feta and romano.

Add Tomatoes

For an extra layer of flavor and to complete the Caesar salad vibe, try adding grape tomatoes. They add a sweet pop of tomato flavor to the dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions about Caesar salad or pasta salad, then I have the answers. The following FAQ answers all the most commonly asked questions about both!

What is Caesar Salad Made of?

A classic Caesar salad is a green salad of romaine lettuce and croutons dressed with lemon juice, olive oil, egg, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard, parmesan cheese, and black pepper.

Can you Make Caesar Pasta Salad in Advance?

Normally, you can make pasta salad in advance, but it’s not recommended for this particular recipe. The lettuce and the croutons will become soggy the longer they sit in the salad.

Can I use Another Type of Pasta?

Absolutely. Any kind of small pasta shape will work in this recipe. The idea is that everything should be bite-size. The shape is really up to you.

How Many Calories are in Chicken Caesar Salad with Dressing and Croutons?

The average chicken Caesar salad with dressing and croutons has about 650 calories. Of course, this pasta salad version also has pasta, so it will be more than that.

How Long Does Caesar Pasta Salad with Chicken and Bacon Last?

This pasta salad will keep in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days. However, I recommend only making as much as will be eaten at your dinner or party. It’s best when it’s fresh.

Chicken and Bacon Caesar Pasta Salad Ingredients

It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this delicious pasta salad. It’s basically a Caesar salad with added pasta, and the ingredient list reflects that. You’ll find everything you need to make this dish easily at your local grocery store.

• Bowtie pasta
• Hearts of Romaine lettuce, chopped
• Rotisserie chicken, shredded
• Bacon, cooked, crispy, crumbled
• Caesar flavored croutons
• Caesar dressing
• Parmesan cheese, freshly shredded

How to Make Chicken and Bacon Caesar Pasta Salad

Making this pasta salad is just as simple as the ingredient list. It only takes a few minutes to put together, making it an ideal main course or side for even the busiest days.

Step 1: Make the Pasta

Cook the pasta until al dente, then, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water. Set it aside in a large bowl. 

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

Cook the bacon until crispy. Then, place it on a plate lined with paper towels. Crumble and set aside when cooled.

Step 3: Put the Salad Together

Add the shredded rotisserie chicken and chopped romaine lettuce to the bowl with the pasta. Then, pour the dressing over the salad and toss to fully coat the noodles and lettuce. Top with parmesan cheese, bacon, and croutons, then toss to combine. Enjoy!

Try This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe Today

This delicious chicken and bacon Caesar pasta salad is a breeze to make and is so full of flavor. It makes the perfect main course or side dish for any family meal or party. Give it a try, and I know you’ll love it as much as I do. In fact, I’m confident that you’ll soon have it on heavy rotation in your recipe lineup.

Looking for More Pasta Salad Recipes?

Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad – A hearty and healthy salad with all the Southwest inspired ingredients. Loaded with grilled chicken, diced avocados, corn, black beans, tomatoes, and more.

Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad – A delicious macaroni salad with all the flavors of deviled eggs in a pasta salad. So easy, so delicious and a favorite potluck recipe.

Chicken Curry Pasta Salad – This is one of the most delicious pasta salad recipes. Don’t let the name scare you if you are not a fan of curry. This salad is absolutely fabulous! One of our favorites.

And, here is a delicious BLT Pasta Salad from Deliciously Seasoned that you might also enjoy!

Here are a few pics that are perfect to save to your favorite Pinterest boards.