Spicy Chicken Caesar Pasta (Printer-Friendly)

Grilled spicy chicken paired with creamy Caesar dressing, romaine, and penne for a satisfying and flavorful main dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 & 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
14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
15 - Lemon wedges for serving

# Directions:

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

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It fills you up without that heavy, sluggish feeling pasta dinners sometimes bring.
  • The spicy chicken against cool, creamy Caesar creates contrast that keeps your fork moving.
  • You can prep the chicken and cook the pasta simultaneously, so dinner happens fast.
  • Leftovers actually taste great cold straight from the fridge the next day.
02 -
  • Resting the chicken after grilling is not optional, cutting it too soon lets all the juices run out and you end up with dry meat.
  • Rinsing the pasta under cold water might seem wrong, but it prevents the hot noodles from wilting the lettuce into sad, soggy bits.
  • If your Caesar dressing is too thick, thin it with a teaspoon of water or lemon juice so it coats the pasta instead of clumping.
03 -
  • Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before seasoning so they cook evenly and you don't end up with one end dry and the other undercooked.
  • Use tongs to toss the pasta and dressing instead of a spoon, it coats everything more evenly without breaking the noodles.
  • Grate your Parmesan fresh right before serving, the pre-grated stuff doesn't melt the same way and lacks that sharp, nutty flavor.
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