Dairy Free Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
This dairy free chicken caesar pasta salad is my favourite warm-weather dinner, with crispy chicken schnitzel, bacon, lettuce and a creamy dairy free caesar dressing all tossed through pasta. It's easy and satisfying enough for a weeknight, but also works as a delicious meal prep cold lunch.
Servings 4 servings
Calories 498kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 250 grams dried small pasta mafalde corte, fusilli or macaroni work well
- 4 bacon rashers/slices
- 2 gem lettuce hearts sliced
- 3 tablespoons cashew parmesan plus extra to serve
- 2 chicken schnitzels cooked and sliced
For the dressing:
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 60 grams dairy free Greek yoghurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 anchovy fillets finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove finely grated
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the 250 grams dried small pasta according to the packet instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, cook the 4 bacon rashers/slices. I prefer to do this on a baking tray under the grill (broiler) for about 10 minutes on each side, until crispy, but you can also cook it in a frying pan. Once cool enough to handle, chop into pieces.
- Make the dressing by blending together the 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 60 grams dairy free Greek yoghurt, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 2 anchovy fillets, 1 garlic clove, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, Salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Add the sliced 2 gem lettuce hearts and cold cooked pasta to a large bowl. Add the chopped bacon and 3 tablespoons cashew parmesan and toss well to combine.
- Pour over the dressing and toss again to mix everything together.
- Lay the sliced 2 chicken schnitzels over the top and sprinkle with extra cashew parmesan to serve.
Notes
Chicken: you can mix the chicken through the salad, but I find the dressing makes the crumb go soggy, so I prefer to keep it on top. You could also use grilled chicken instead of schnitzel.
Storage instructions: this salad stores really well for a couple of days. Just keep the chicken separate, as the crumb can go soggy.
Gluten free option: use a gluten free pasta and a gluten free schnitzel, or swap the schnitzel for grilled chicken.
Nutrition
Calories: 498kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 328mg | Potassium: 618mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1293IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 2mg
