Chicken Caesar Pasta Pomegranate (Printable)

Tender chicken and penne combine with creamy dressing and pomegranate for a flavorful, fresh meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (14 oz)
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Pasta

05 - 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta

→ Vegetables & Garnish

06 - 1 small head Romaine lettuce, chopped
07 - 1 cup pomegranate arils (from about 1 medium pomegranate)
08 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

→ Dressing

09 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
10 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
12 - 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
13 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
14 - 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
15 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
16 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Toppings

17 - 1/2 cup croutons
18 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
02 - Season chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill or pan-sear over medium-high heat for 6 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, lemon juice, Greek yogurt or sour cream, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - In a large bowl, toss cooked pasta, chopped Romaine, sliced chicken, and half the pomegranate arils. Pour dressing over and toss until evenly coated.
05 - Divide salad among plates. Top with croutons, shaved Parmesan, remaining pomegranate arils, and chopped parsley if using. Serve immediately for best texture.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The pomegranate adds a sweet-tart surprise that keeps every bite interesting instead of heavy.
  • It looks fancy enough for company but comes together in under an hour on a regular Tuesday.
  • Leftovers actually taste great cold straight from the fridge, which almost never happens with creamy pasta.
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta under cold water after draining or the residual heat will wilt the lettuce when you toss everything together.
  • Add the dressing only when youre ready to serve, especially if you think there will be leftovers, because once its on the salad it gets soggy fast.
03 -
  • Deseed the pomegranate in a bowl of water to keep the juice from spraying all over your counter and clothes.
  • Shave the Parmesan with a vegetable peeler right before serving so the curls stay delicate and dont dry out.
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