Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

A hearty and seriously satisfying pasta salad loaded with fresh flavor.

📝 Ingredients

• 5 anchovy fillets, (canned in oil (drained))
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• Salt (and black pepper, to taste)
• 10 oz. dry penne pasta
• 4 cups (slighlty packed) chopped romaine lettuce ((preferably romaine hearts or the center portion))
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts,
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, (halved)
• 3/4 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cup croutons,
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, (to thin as needed)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Cook the pasta ---
2. 2Cook pasta in salted water according to directions on package. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water and set aside to cool. Drain pasta then transfer to an 18 by 13-inch rimmed baking sheet that's sprayed with non-stick cooking spray or lined with parchment paper and let cool completely.
3. 3--- Make the dressing ---
4. 4Mince anchovies and place in a medium mixing bowl, mash to a paste with the back of a spoon. Add in mayonnaise, lemon juice, parmesan, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk to blend. Chill in fridge until ready to use.
5. 5--- Toss salad and dressing ---
6. 6Add cooled pasta, lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, and parsley to a large salad bowl. Pour dressing over top and toss to evenly coat, thin mixture with pasta water as needed (it will thicken as it sits).
7. 7Add croutons and parmesan and toss a few times incorporate.