Description

This yummy main dish salad is ready in less than 30 minutes. It makes a big batch but it can be easily cut in half if necessary. It will become a new favorite in your recipe box.

Ingredients

• 3 T. olive oil
• 1 3/4 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
• 1 t. kosher salt, or to taste
• 1 t. freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
• 1 lb. bowtie pasta (or ziti, penne, wheels, small shells, rotini, etc.)
• 10 oz. bag Romaine lettuce
• 2/3 c. diced tomatoes (Roma or halved cherry or grape tomatoes)
• 3/4 c. your favorite Caesar dressing, or to taste
• 2 T. balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
• 2/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese, or to taste (freshly grated, the kind in the green container, or even a Parmesan-Pecorino blend)

Steps

1. Add olive oil to a large skillet; add chicken; season with salt and pepper; saute for about 7 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through; stir; flip occasionally for even cooking.
2. While chicken is sautéing, cook pasta to al dente according to package directions in well salted boiling water about 11 minutes; drain; transfer to a large bowl.
3. Add cooked chicken to the pasta bowl; add lettuce and tomatoes; slowly add Caesar dressing (more can always be added but can't be removed, so add it slowly), balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese; toss well to combine and coat evenly.*