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Kale Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A delightful blend of flavors and textures featuring pasta, kale, and chicken, all brought together with creamy Caesar dressing.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 475
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Greens
  • 2 cups fusilli pasta Can also use macaroni, rontini, or bowties.
  • 4-5 cups curly kale Rinsed and dried.
Dressing Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup Caesar salad dressing Store-bought or homemade.
  • 3 large cloves garlic Minced.
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise For creaminess.
  • 1-1.5 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce For savory flavor.
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice Freshly squeezed.
  • 3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard Adds zest.
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Freshly ground.
Salad Components
  • 2 cups cooked chicken Cubed or shredded.
  • 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes Or half a small tomato.
  • A few slices red onion Finely chopped.
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese Finely grated or shaved for serving.
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese Finely grated to mix into the salad.

Method
 

Pasta Preparation
  1. Bring a medium-sized pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fusilli pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Dressing Preparation
  1. In a large bowl, mash the minced garlic with salt to form a paste. Add mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined or use a food processor to blend.
Kale Preparation
  1. In a spacious serving bowl, add the roughly chopped kale. Pour the Caesar dressing over it and massage the dressing into the kale leaves for 2-3 minutes.
Combine Salad
  1. Stir in the cooked pasta, cubed chicken, chopped onions, and tomatoes into the kale. Gently fold to combine, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan and mix again. Serve immediately or chill before serving.

Notes

For variations, substitute chicken with grilled shrimp or chickpeas for a vegetarian option. Dressing can be made ahead for enhanced flavor.