This high protein chicken Caesar pasta salad is classic Caesar salad and a hearty pasta dish mixed into one with a healthy and high protein twist. Made using my healthy (but still creamy and delicious) Caesar dressing and another high protein "secret" ingredient to make this 37g protein per serving. This is perfect for weekly meal prep and lunch on the go.
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Healthy and high protein comfort food! The secret? My Greek yogurt-based homemade Caesar dressing, paired with wholewheat pasta for a fibre boost, shredded chicken, crispy bacon, crunchy romaine, cherry tomatoes, crunchy croutons, and a sneaky addition of cottage cheese to push the protein even higher. You would never know it's even there, but it can be left out for real cottage cheese haters.
This chicken Caesar pasta salad is perfect for meal prep, packed lunches or summer dinners/lunches - this one ticks all the boxes. Not to mention that it is delicious and ready in just 20 minutes too.
Looking for more healthy meal prep recipes? Why not try our delicious Meal Prep Breakfast Sandwiches, kid-favourite Oatmeal Breakfast Cake or our incredible Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad?
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Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Ingredients
A full list of ingredients, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Pasta - For extra fibre, use a wholewheat pasta shape. For a fun twist, why not use cooked tortellini?
- Salad veggies - Romaine hearts and tomatoes for colour and crunch.
- Chicken - This uses cooked shredded leftover chicken. If you don't have any leftover chicken, then make our Air Fryer Chicken Breasts.
- Bacon - Use our Air Fryer Bacon or Oven Cooked Bacon recipe.
- Cottage cheese - This is where the extra protein boost comes from. You honestly take tell it's in there when it's mixed together. But, if you REALLY want to hide it, then you can blend it into the dressing.
- Parmesan cheese - This is optional, but a little to finish off the dish.
- Caesar dressing - My homemade Healthy Caesar Salad dressing that is made with Greek yogurt rather than mayo.
- Croutons - These add a lovely extra crunch. Try our Sourdough Croutons which is a great way to use up sourdough that is going a little stale.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Variations
No bacon: Swap for turkey bacon or leave out entirely which will lower the calories, but it will lower the protein too.
Beans: Give this healthy chicken Caesar pasta salad a fibre boost with some white beans like cannellini beans or butter beans. This would add some creaminess too.
Extra veg: Add cucumber, roasted broccoli, red pepper or red onion.
Spicy Caesar: Add chilli flakes or even a dash of hot sauce.
Lower carb: Reduce the pasta slightly and add more romaine.
How To Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Prep: Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°F/Gas 4.
- Step 1: Cook the pasta according to the pack instructions (usually 10-12 minutes). Once cooked, drain and cool under cold water.
- Step 2: Cook the bacon to your liking and set aside.
- Step 3: Make the dressing by combining the dressing ingredients.
- Step 4: Make the sourdough croutons.
- Step 5: In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, lettuce, shredded chicken, chopped bacon, tomatoes and croutons.
- Step 6: Add the cottage cheese, salad dressing and Parmesan shavings.
- Step 7: Toss well to coat everything in the dressing and cottage cheese.
Meal Prep and Storage
You can store this in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep croutons separate to prevent sogginess.
If meal prepping, I I would recommend adding the romaine just before eating for best texture, but you can store it all mixed together.
Also, the pasta absorbs the dressing when it is in the fridge, so you might want to mix it with a little more dressing before serving leftovers.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Let the pasta cool completely before adding dressing, otherwise it might curdle.
- Season generously.
- Use thick Greek yogurt for the creamiest dressing.
- Finely grate the Parmesan so it mixes well into the dressing.
- If you want to make this even simpler, then use store bought croutons and dressing. You could buy a rotisserie chicken too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all. It blends into the dressing and adds creaminess plus extra protein.
More Pasta Salad Recipes
If you've tried this chicken caesar pasta salad recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
High Protein Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 75 g (0.33 cup) 0% Fat Free Greek yogurt
- 20 g (0.75 oz) Parmesan - grated
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
For the salad
- 100 g (3.5 oz) Whole wheat pasta
- 150 g (5.25 oz) Cooked chicken breast - shredded
- 2 slice Bacon - cooked
- 10 g (0.33 oz) Parmesan - shavings
- 1 head Romaine lettuce
- 8 Cherry tomatoes - quartered
- 100 g (0.5 cup) Fat free cottage cheese
- 1 portion Sourdough croutons
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C(fan)/350°F/Gas 4.
- Cook 100 g Whole wheat pasta according to the pack instructions (usually 10-12 minutes). Once cooked, drain and cool under cold water.
- Make the dressing by combining 75 g 0% Fat Free Greek yogurt, 20 g Parmesan, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard and 1 tablespoon Lemon juice.
- Cook 2 slice Bacon to your liking and set aside.
- Make 1 portion Sourdough croutons.
- In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, 1 head Romaine lettuce, 150 g Cooked chicken breast, chopped bacon, 8 Cherry tomatoes and the croutons.
- Add 100 g Fat free cottage cheese, salad dressing and 10 g Parmesan shavings.
- Mix well to coat everything in the dressing and cottage cheese.
Recipe Tips
- Let the pasta cool completely before adding dressing, otherwise it might curdle.
- Season generously.
- Use thick Greek yogurt for the creamiest dressing.
- Finely grate the Parmesan so it mixes well into the dressing.
- If you want to make this even simpler, then use store bought croutons and dressing. You could buy a rotisserie chicken too.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Kerry O'Neill says
I make this on repeat! It's so good for lunch every day, I truly look forward to it no matter how many times I make it.