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Pesto Caesar Pasta Salad

Craving something fresh, flavorful, and a little unexpected? Say hello to your new favorite dish: Pesto Caesar Pasta Salad! This vibrant twist on a classic from @dishingouthealth combines the bold, garlicky goodness of Caesar dressing with the herby richness of pesto, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta, crisp romaine, and juicy cherry tomatoes. It’s quick to make, easy to love, and perfect for everything from weekday lunches to backyard barbecues.

Romaine lettuce with chicken, pesto and shellbows pasta

  • Prep Time

    25min

  • Cook Time

    20min

  • Total Time

    45min

  • Servings

    6

  • Recipe Category Pasta Salad

  • Recipe Cuisine Italian

  • Recipe Level Simple

Recipe By: Jamie Vespa @dishingouthealth

Ingredients

Directions

  • Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, place chicken in a large bowl and pat dry with a paper towel. Lightly season chicken all over with kosher salt and black pepper. Add 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil and 3 Tbsp. pesto; toss to coat.
  • Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add panko and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring continuously, until the panko is nicely browned and toasted. Transfer to a bowl.
  • To the same pan (no need to wipe clean), arrange chicken breasts and cook, undisturbed, for 4 to 5 minutes, until nicely seared. Turn, and cook another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the juices run clear and chicken is cooked through. Transfer to a plate or cutting board.
  • Prepare Pesto Caesar Dressing by combining all dressing ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk well to combine. Taste and season with a pinch of salt (or extra cracked black pepper), if needed.
  • To a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, romaine, most of toasted panko (I like to reserve 1 to 2 Tablespoons for garnish), Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and fresh basil.
  • Cut chicken into small bite-sized pieces and add to the pasta salad, along with the Pesto Caesar Dressing. Toss well to combine. Garnish with reserved panko, extra grated cheese (optional), and extra fresh basil (also optional).
Keywords:

caesar salad, summer pasta salad, caesar salad dressing, pesto

Pesto Caesar Pasta Salad

Craving something fresh, flavorful, and a little unexpected? Say hello to your new favorite dish: Pesto Caesar Pasta Salad! This vibrant twist on a classic from @dishingouthealth combines the bold, garlicky goodness of Caesar dressing with the herby richness of pesto, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta, crisp romaine, and juicy cherry tomatoes. It’s quick to make, easy to love, and perfect for everything from weekday lunches to backyard barbecues.