SubScribe Today

KALE CHICKEN CAESAR PASTA SALAD

•

Jenna
🥬🍗 KALE CHICKEN CAESAR PASTA SALADHigh Protein • Meal Prep Friendly • BBQ & Potluck Favorite
Print

🥬🍗 KALE CHICKEN CAESAR PASTA SALAD
High Protein • Meal Prep Friendly • BBQ & Potluck Favorite

Recipe by JennaCourse: Uncategorized
Servings

6-8

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

30

minutes
Calories

525

kcal

This isn’t your average pasta salad. Tender chicken, hearty kale, crispy roasted chickpeas, and plenty of parmesan are tossed in a creamy Greek yogurt Caesar dressing that delivers all the flavor of a classic Caesar with a protein boost. It’s filling enough for a meal, travels well for cookouts, and holds up beautifully for meal prep.

✨ ABOUT THIS RECIPE
If Caesar salad and pasta salad had a high-protein baby, this would be it.
The kale holds up much better than traditional lettuce, making it ideal for meal prep and leftovers. The homemade Greek yogurt Caesar dressing keeps everything creamy while adding extra protein, and the crispy chickpeas bring the crunch you’d normally get from croutons.
It’s one of those recipes that somehow feels healthy and indulgent at the same time.

⚡ HEALTH BREAKDOWN (Estimated)
Per Serving:
Calories: ~525
Protein: 39g
Carbs: 39g
Fat: 22g
Fiber: 6g

Highlights
✔ High-protein meal prep option
✔ Great for cookouts and potlucks
✔ Higher fiber than traditional Caesar salad
✔ Uses Greek yogurt instead of heavy dressing
✔ Stays fresh for several days
✔ Family-friendly

Ingredients

  • Salad

  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (Grilled frozen chicken cooked, or canned chicken)

  • 1 lb fusilli pasta

  • 4 cups kale, finely chopped

  • 4 oz parmesan cheese, grated or shaved

  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

  • 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided

  • ½ tsp smoked paprika

  • Chili flakes, to taste (optional)

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • Greek Yogurt Caesar Dressing

  • 1½ cups plain Greek yogurt

  • 3 small garlic cloves

  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 tsp anchovy paste

  • Juice of 1 lemon

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  • Make the Crispy Chickpeas
  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Pat chickpeas completely dry and toss with:
    Tbsp olive oil
    Smoked paprika
    Salt and pepper
    Optional chili flakes
  • Spread onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20–30 minutes until crispy.
  • Cook the Chicken
  • Butterfly or pound chicken breasts to an even thickness.
  • Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Heat remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until cooked through and golden brown.
  • Let cool and dice into bite-sized pieces.
  • Cook the Pasta
  • Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
  • Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside.
  • Prepare the Kale: Remove stems and finely chop kale.
  • Place kale into a large mixing bowl.
  • Make the Caesar Dressing
  • In a blender or food processor combine:
    Greek yogurt
    Parmesan cheese
    Garlic
    Dijon mustard
    Worcestershire sauce
    Anchovy paste
    Lemon juice
    Blend until smooth and creamy.
    Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
  • Assemble. Add cooked pasta and diced chicken to the bowl with the kale. Pour dressing over top and toss until evenly coated.
  • Top with:
    Crispy chickpeas
    Extra shaved parmesan
    Fresh black pepper
  • Serve immediately or chill before serving.

Notes

  • 💡 JENNA TIP
    The kale actually gets better after sitting in the dressing for a few hours, making this one of my favorite meal-prep recipes.
    For maximum crunch, store the chickpeas separately and sprinkle them on just before serving.
    Rotisserie chicken works great if you’re short on time.
    Substitute with salmon as an alternative.

    ❄️ STORAGE + MEAL PREP
    Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
    Meal Prep: Divide into individual containers and keep chickpeas separate until serving.
    Not Recommended for Freezing: The dressing texture changes after thawing.

•