Summer Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad (with Crispy Pasta Chips)

This Summer Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad with Crispy Pasta Chips is about to become your new go-to summer meal! It combines all the classic caesar flavors with juicy chicken, sweet corn and shallots, then swaps the croutons for the most addicting crispy pasta chips made in the air fryer. It's fresh, hearty and perfect for everything from weekday dinners to backyard BBQs. This is a viral trend that's actually worth the hype!

Servings main meals

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 35

Total Time 40

Equipment

medium pot
colander
baking sheet
Air Fryer (optional)
large bowl
grill
tongs
cutting board
knife
large salad bowl with tongs

Ingredients

For the Crispy Pasta Chips:

8 oz dry farfalle pasta (sub gluten free pasta as needed)*
1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp paprika
¼ tsp black pepper

For the Chicken:

1.25 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp oregano
¼ tsp black pepper

For the Pasta Salad:

6 oz romaine lettuce chopped (about 1.5 heads)
2 ears of corn shucked
1 small shallot very thinly sliced
1.5 oz shaved parmesan (about ½ cup)
6 oz Primal Kitchen Caesar Dressing (or caesar dressing of choice)

Instructions

First, cook your pasta in heavily salted water for 1 minute less than package instructions. Drain & add it back to the pot on low heat for 1-2 more minutes, stirring constantly to remove any excess moisture. Alternatively, you can pat the pasta dry well with paper towels.
8 oz dry farfalle pasta
Once dry, toss pasta with avocado oil and seasonings. Spread out evenly on an air fryer tray, or baking sheet, making sure there’s minimal overlap.
STANDARD AIR FRYER:
Air fry at 400F for about 6 minutes. Keep an eye on them as every air fryer is different. You want them to be lightly golden and crunchy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will likely have to do this in several batches.
AIR FRY SETTING ON OVEN:
This is my preferred method, if your oven happens to have an air fry setting. Air fry at 400F for 16-20 minutes, flipping once halfway.
STANDARD OVEN BAKE:
If you don't have access to an air fryer, or your oven doesn't have an air fryer setting, you can oven bake these at 400F for about 24 minutes, flipping once halfway. Allow the pasta chips to cool down completely.
1 tbsp avocado oil, ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp black pepper
While the pasta chips are baking, add all of the chicken ingredients to a medium bowl and toss to coat. Preheat your grill to 450F (about medium-high heat), and add the chicken, as well as the shucked corn sprayed or brushed with oil. Cook the chicken for ~5 minutes per side, or until done through. Rotate the corn every few minutes until all sides are charred, about 12 minutes total. Allow both to cool down, then cube the chicken & cut the kernels off the cobs.
1.25 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1 tbsp avocado oil, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp paprika, ½ tsp oregano, ¼ tsp black pepper
Assemble your pasta salad with chopped romaine, corn, cubed chicken, thinly sliced shallot, shaved parmesan, crispy pasta chips and caesar dressing. Toss to combine. Best enjoyed fresh!
6 oz romaine lettuce, 2 ears of corn, 1 small shallot, 1.5 oz shaved parmesan, 6 oz Primal Kitchen Caesar Dressing

Video

Notes

*NOTE: If you use a different pasta shape, the air fry/bake time will likely vary, so just keep that in mind!

Calories: 618kcal

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Keyword: Caesar, Chicken Thighs, Corn, Crispy, Parmesan, Pasta Salad, Romaine, Shallots, Summer Recipes

Nutrition