BLT Chicken Pasta Salad (Print)

Fresh salad with smoky bacon, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, grilled chicken and pasta shells in a light creamy mayo dressing.

# Components:

→ Pasta & Proteins

01 - 8 oz medium pasta shells
02 - 2 cups cooked grilled chicken breast, diced
03 - 6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled

→ Vegetables

04 - 1½ cups romaine lettuce, chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - ½ cup red onion, finely diced

→ Dressing

07 - ⅓ cup light mayonnaise
08 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
09 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Cook pasta shells according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together light mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, grilled chicken, crumbled bacon, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
04 - Pour dressing over salad ingredients and gently toss until all components are evenly coated with dressing.
05 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for 20 minutes to allow flavors to fully develop before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It brings all the flavors of a classic BLT into a fork friendly meal that actually fills you up.
  • The creamy dressing is tangy and light, so it coats without weighing everything down.
  • You can make it ahead and it travels beautifully to picnics or potlucks.
  • It uses simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
02 -
  • Always rinse your pasta under cold water after draining, or it will clump together and soak up too much dressing.
  • Add the lettuce just before serving if you're making this ahead, otherwise it wilts and loses its crunch.
  • Don't skip the Greek yogurt, it's what keeps the dressing light and tangy instead of heavy and flat.
03 -
  • Cook your bacon in the oven on a sheet pan at 400 degrees F for even crispness and less mess.
  • If your dressing feels too thick, thin it out with a teaspoon of water or a splash more lemon juice.
  • Use rotisserie chicken to save time, just shred or dice it and you're halfway done.
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