Eesha Kulkarni

If you’ve ever found yourself endlessly scrolling through social media, chances are you’ve stumbled upon countless pasta recipes vying for your attention. But amidst this sea of TikTok creations, there’s one dish that has captured the hearts (and stomachs) of millions: the viral Chicken Caesar Salad Pasta. Brace yourself for a journey through flavours, textures and the unexpected twists that have made this dish an internet sensation.

What Is The Chicken Caesar Salad Pasta?

Picture this: tender chicken, crisp veggies and al dente pasta, all brought together with indulgent sauces bringing you the best of both worlds. The tale of the viral chicken caesar salad pasta isn’t one of overnight success.

No, this hearty meal has been quietly making waves for years, charming palates with its irresistible blend of flavours. However, it wasn’t until a TikTok user, Desha Jordan (@mealsbydesha2), shared her unique twist on the recipe that it truly caught fire.

Step-by-Step Recipe: Viral Chicken Caesar Salad Pasta

Ingredients

For the Dressing:

• ⅓ cup Avocado Mayonnaise
• ⅓ cup shaved Parmesan Cheese, plus more for serving
• 2 large Garlic Cloves
• 1 tbsp Drained Capers
• 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
• Zest and juice of 1 Lemon
• ¼ tsp freshly cracked Black Pepper

For the Salad:

• 8 ounces Fusilli or Rotini Pasta
• 3 slices Sourdough Bread, cubed
• Kosher Salt, to taste
• 2 tsp Olive Oil
• 1 head of Romaine Lettuce, chopped (about 4 cups)
• 1 ½ - 2 cups cooked Chopped Chicken Breasts

Method

1. Prepare The Dressing:

• In a small blender or food processor, combine avocado mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, capers, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice and black pepper.
• Blend until smooth and well combined. Set aside.

2. Cook The chicken:

• In a sizzling pan, stir-fry your chicken until it’s golden brown and crispy. Then, toss in those bacon bits for an added layer of flavour. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you later.

3. Cook The Pasta:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
• Drain the pasta and set aside to cool slightly.

4. Make The Croutons:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• On a baking sheet, toss the cubed sourdough bread with olive oil and a pinch of kosher salt.
• Spread the bread cubes evenly on the baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
• Remove from the oven and set aside.

5. Assemble The Salad:

• In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, crispy croutons, chopped romaine lettuce and cooked chicken breasts.
• Pour the prepared caesar dressing over the salad mixture.
• Toss everything together until the dressing evenly coats all the ingredients.
• Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, if desired.

6. Serve And Enjoy:

• Transfer the Chicken Caesar Salad Pasta to a serving dish or individual plates.
• Garnish with extra shaved Parmesan cheese for an added touch of flavour.
• Serve immediately and enjoy the creamy, flavourful goodness of this viral meal!

Extra Tips

• To save time, you can cook the chicken and prepare the croutons ahead of time.
• Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just be sure not to dress the salad until you’re ready to serve it to prevent it from becoming soggy.
• Feel free to customise the salad with your favourite additions, such as diced bell peppers, celery or cucumber, for an extra crunch and burst of flavour.