Creamy Chicken Caesar Pasta
This one pan dinner combines savory Caesar flavors with tender chicken and crunchy croutons for a meal your family will love.
recipesbynani.comIf you are looking for a simple dinner that brings all the classic flavors of a Caesar salad to your pasta bowl, this recipe is perfect for you. It is creamy, cheesy, and features a satisfying crunch from the croutons on top.
I love this recipe because it is so easy to customize based on what I have in the fridge. You can stir in some fresh spinach or broccoli if you want to add some greens, or even use rotisserie chicken to save some time on busy weeknights.
🧺 Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken breast, diced
- 2 cups Caesar dressing, divided
- 1 pound short pasta, such as rotini or penne
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2/3 cup chicken broth
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup seasoned croutons, crushed
👩🍳Instructions
- 1
Place the diced chicken and 3/4 cup of the Caesar dressing in a bowl or bag. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- 2
Cook your pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the water and set the noodles aside.
- 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until it is cooked through. Remove the chicken to a plate.
- 4
Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the minced garlic to the same skillet. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 5
Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- 6
Lower the heat and stir in the cream cheese, the remaining 1 1/4 cups of Caesar dressing, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- 7
Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted, then add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything together until well coated.
- 8
Serve immediately with a generous sprinkle of crushed croutons on top for that perfect crunch.
💡 Tips
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. When reheating, add a small splash of water or broth to help loosen the sauce, as it tends to thicken up once it cools down.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.
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