Spicy Chicken Caesar Pasta (Printable)

A flavorful twist on the classic Caesar with spicy grilled chicken, creamy dressing, and fresh romaine in a satisfying pasta bowl.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Pasta

08 - 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta

→ Salad and Dressing

09 - 1/2 cup Caesar dressing
10 - 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
11 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1/4 cup croutons, optional
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional
15 - Lemon wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - In a small bowl, mix olive oil, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub the mixture evenly over both sides of chicken breasts.
03 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat, let rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, Caesar dressing, romaine lettuce, and cherry tomatoes. Mix gently to coat all ingredients.
06 - Divide pasta mixture among serving bowls. Top with sliced spicy chicken, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and fresh parsley.
07 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It turns leftover Caesar salad vibes into an actual filling dinner without feeling heavy.
  • The spice on the chicken cuts through the richness in a way that keeps you going back for more.
  • You can have everything on the table in under an hour, even on a weeknight.
  • It's one of those meals that tastes like you tried hard but really didn't.
02 -
  • Let the chicken rest after grilling or all the juices will run out onto your cutting board instead of staying in the meat.
  • Don't skip rinsing the pasta, it cools it down just enough so the lettuce doesn't wilt when you toss everything together.
  • Taste the spice rub before putting it on the chicken, if you're spice-sensitive, cut the cayenne in half the first time.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check the chicken, it's the only way to know for sure it's done without cutting into it and losing moisture.
  • Grate your own Parmesan instead of buying the pre-shredded kind, it melts better and tastes sharper.
  • If your Caesar dressing feels too thick, thin it with a teaspoon of lemon juice or pasta water before tossing.
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