Chicken Caesar Pasta Pomegranate (Printable)

Creamy Caesar pasta enhanced with grilled chicken and bright pomegranate arils for a flavorful dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 the pasta according to package directions 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 cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - 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 in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste.
04 - In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta, chopped Romaine lettuce, sliced chicken, and half of the pomegranate arils. Pour the dressing over and mix until evenly coated.
05 - Divide the salad onto plates. Garnish with croutons, shaved Parmesan, remaining pomegranate arils, and chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately for best texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pomegranate arils burst with juicy sweetness that cuts through the richness of Caesar dressing in the most unexpected, delightful way.
  • Ready in under 40 minutes but feels elegant enough for a celebration dinner.
  • Naturally crowd-pleasing without being boring—people always come back for seconds.
02 -
  • The pomegranate arils need to stay separate from the dressing until the last moment, or they'll weep juice and turn everything muddy looking.
  • If you make this more than a couple hours ahead, don't dress it—wait until just before serving or the croutons and lettuce lose their crispness.
  • A rotisserie chicken works beautifully if you need to save time; just shred or slice it and warm it briefly in the pan.
03 -
  • Make your own croutons by cubing bread, tossing with olive oil and a pinch of salt, then baking at 375°F until golden—they'll change how you think about store-bought.
  • Keep extra pomegranate arils in the freezer; they thaw beautifully and let you make this dish year-round without guilt.
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