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Easy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Jars

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These Easy Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Jars are the perfect meal prep lunch, combining creamy Caesar dressing, tender chicken, and al dente pasta in a portable jar. They stay fresh for up to 5 days and make weekday lunches feel like a treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225g) rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 2 cups (about 300g) cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
  • 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup (75g) shaved Parmesan cheese
  • 4 cups (120g) romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/4 cup (30g) croutons
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Let it cool completely.
  2. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, grated Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously. Taste and adjust if needed. Set aside.
  3. Prep the add-ins: Halve the cherry tomatoes, shave the Parmesan, and chop the romaine lettuce. If using rotisserie chicken, shred it into bite-sized pieces. Pat everything dry with paper towels.
  4. Layer the jars: Start with 2-3 tablespoons of Caesar dressing at the bottom of each jar. Then add the cooked pasta (about 1/2 cup per jar), followed by the diced chicken (about 1/3 cup), cherry tomatoes, and shaved Parmesan. Top with a generous handful of romaine lettuce and a few croutons. Screw the lids on tightly.
  5. Chill and serve: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. When ready to eat, shake the jar well to distribute the dressing, or dump everything into a bowl and toss.

Notes

For best results, keep the lettuce dry to avoid sogginess. Use room temperature chicken to prevent the dressing from seizing. These jars taste best on days 2-4 when flavors have melded. Leave croutons out until ready to eat for maximum crunch. Make extra dressing and store separately for customization.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken Caesar pasta salad, meal prep lunch, pasta salad jars, easy lunch recipe, Caesar dressing, rotisserie chicken, portable lunch

Find it online: https://milacook.com/easy-chicken-caesar-pasta-salad-jars-best-meal-prep-lunch/