Caesar Pasta Chicken Bowl (Printable Version)

Grilled chicken, pasta, and crisp romaine tossed with creamy Caesar dressing for a satisfying, protein-packed meal.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Protein & Pasta

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 oz)
02 - 9 oz short pasta such as penne, rotini, or farfalle

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

→ Dressing & Toppings

05 - ½ cup Caesar dressing
06 - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1 cup garlic croutons
08 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Marinade

09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - ½ teaspoon salt
12 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

# Steps:

01 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly if serving chilled.
02 - While pasta cooks, preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
03 - Brush chicken breasts with olive oil and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
04 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
05 - In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes if using, and Caesar dressing. Toss gently to coat.
06 - Top with sliced grilled chicken, Parmesan, croutons, and black pepper.
07 - Serve immediately warm, or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving cold.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The warm chicken against cool crisp lettuce creates this amazing temperature contrast that keeps every bite interesting
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble in under 5 minutes when hangry energy hits
02 -
  • Letting the chicken rest is the difference between juicy restaurant quality strips and sad dry fibers you cannot rush this part
  • The pasta continues absorbing dressing as it sits so if you are meal prepping hold back a little dressing and add it right before serving
03 -
  • Chill your bowl for 10 minutes before assembling if serving cold it keeps everything fresh longer
  • Toast your own croutons from day old bread with olive oil and garlic for next level flavor
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