Corkscrew Chicken Caesar Salad
This recipe offers a unique take on classic pasta and salad dishes, balancing lightness for lunch with hearty fullness for dinner. Its quick and effortless preparation makes it ideal for bustling weeknights.
This recipe offers a unique take on classic pasta and salad dishes, balancing lightness for lunch with hearty fullness for dinner. Its quick and effortless preparation makes it ideal for bustling weeknights.
- Carbohydrate 32.7458767920025 g
- Cholesterol 78.400750556256 mg
- Fat 3.41562653405881 g
- Fiber 0.486444285653688 g
- Protein 21.6596977101421 g
- Saturated Fat 1.19380196666935 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (152g)
- Sodium 125.585483322074 mg
- Sugar 32.2594325063488 g
- Trans Fat 0.71964846180068 g
- Calories 253 calories
Step-by-step
- Cook the pasta according to package directions.
- Rinse pasta w/ cold water and drain.
- Place the cooled pasta in a large bowl.
- Stir together tomatoes, green onions, chicken, and pasta; add dressing and mix thoroughly.
- Top with croutons and parmesan cheese.
- Chill and serve.
Corkscrew pasta does the heavy lifting in this dish. Its helical shape traps thick Caesar dressing inside every groove. Cook the pasta in aggressively salted boiling water until it reaches an al dente bite. Rinse the noodles thoroughly under cold running water immediately after draining. This stops the cooking process and removes surface starch so the dressing clings cleanly rather than clumping. Dice the cooked chicken into even half-inch cubes so it distributes uniformly among the spirals. Roma tomatoes release less internal water than standard globe varieties, keeping the dressing from thinning out during storage.
Equipment and Prep Methods
A six-quart stockpot provides enough room for the sixteen ounces of pasta to move freely without dropping the water temperature too drastically. A large wooden bowl works best for mixing, as wood absorbs residual moisture better than metal. Toss the tomatoes and green onions gently with a silicone spatula to prevent bruising the flesh.
- Substitute gluten-free corkscrew pasta at a 1:1 ratio if managing dietary restrictions.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours before the croutons lose their crunch.
- Add the croutons just prior to serving to maintain optimal texture.
