A delightful salad that combines classic flavors of Caesar salad with fresh basil pesto, grilled chicken, and pasta, ideal for outdoor barbecues, picnics, or a quick lunch.
Ingredients
Scale:
8 ounces rotini pasta
2 cups cooked grilled chicken, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup croutons
½ cup fresh basil pesto
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
In a large pot of boiling salted water, add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
Chop the romaine lettuce and halve the cherry tomatoes, setting them aside in a large mixing bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the basil pesto, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and lemon juice until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
In the mixing bowl with the lettuce and tomatoes, add the cooled rotini pasta and diced grilled chicken. Pour the creamy pesto dressing over the top and toss gently.
Gently toss all ingredients together until well coated with the dressing. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
Before serving, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and croutons on top.
Let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
