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Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

For a healthy, delicious meal try our recipe for a Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad; an innovative spin on an old classic!
Quick & Easy
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Prep time
icon-clock-130 Min
Serves
icon-servings-18
Grilled Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Catelli Smart Penne Rigate

Ingredients

  • 1 pkg (375 g) Catelli Smart® Penne Rigate
  • 3/4 cup (175 mL) Light mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup (50 mL) Buttermilk
  • 3 tbsp (45 mL) Grated Parmesan cheese (approx.)
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) Lemon juice
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) Dijon mustard
  • 1 Clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp (2 mL) Finely grated lemon zest
  • 3 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 1/2 cup (375 mL) Seeded and diced tomato
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) Crumbled crisp bacon
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) Each Worcestershire sauce and anchovy paste (optional)
  • Chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper

Cooking Steps

Step 1

Cook penne according to package directions. Rinse pasta under cold water until cool. Drain well.

Step 2

Meanwhile, stir the mayonnaise with the buttermilk, cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste (if using), Dijon mustard, garlic, and lemon zest until well combined. Reserve.

Step 3

Preheat the grill to medium high. Toss the chicken with 1/4 cup (50 mL) of the dressing mixture and season with salt and pepper.

Step 4

Grill the chicken for 5 minutes. Turn the chicken breasts and reduce the heat to medium. Cook chicken for an additional 6 to 8 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer reads 165ºF (74ºC) when inserted into the thickest part of the meat. Remove chicken from the grill. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.

Step 5

Toss the cooled pasta with the remaining mayonnaise mixture, sliced chicken, bacon and tomatoes. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan, salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with parsley.

Tips
For a quick pantry substitute, use 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) purchased Caesar salad dressing instead of the homemade version.
Replace the buttermilk with “sour” regular milk by stirring with one quarter of the lemon juice; let stand for 5 minutes before adding to the remaining dressing ingredients.