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Healthy High-Protein Cold Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

healthy high-protein cold chicken caesar pasta salad - featured image
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A quick, easy, and nutritious cold pasta salad featuring lean grilled chicken, whole wheat pasta, and a lightened-up Caesar dressing with Greek yogurt. Perfect for meal prep and weight loss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces whole wheat rotini pasta (or gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free option)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken recommended)
  • 3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup homemade or store-bought croutons (optional)
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon anchovy paste or finely chopped anchovies
  • Optional: Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of whole wheat rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions (8-10 minutes) until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Optional: add 1 teaspoon anchovy paste. If dressing is too thick, add water a teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  3. While pasta cooks, chop 3 cups romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and halve ½ cup cherry tomatoes. Grate ¼ cup Parmesan cheese fresh.
  4. In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta with chopped romaine, chicken, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan. Pour dressing over and gently toss to coat evenly. Add croutons just before serving if using.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
  6. Refrigerate the salad for at least 15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Serve chilled.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water after cooking to prevent sticking and keep salad refreshing. Be gentle when tossing to avoid bruising romaine. Marinate chicken briefly in olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for better flavor and juiciness. Add croutons just before serving to keep them crunchy. Dressing thickness can be adjusted with water or lemon juice. Store leftovers in airtight container for up to 3 days; keep croutons separate.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken pasta salad, high protein salad, cold pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, Caesar pasta salad, weight loss recipe, meal prep salad

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/healthy-high-protein-cold-chicken-caesar-pasta-salad-easy-recipe-for-weight-loss/