BLT Chicken Pasta Salad (Printable)

Fresh hearty salad with smoky bacon, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, grilled chicken and tender pasta shells in creamy dressing.

# Required Ingredients:

→ 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 - 1 ½ 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 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
09 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
10 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
11 - ½ tsp garlic powder
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Cook pasta shells according to package directions. Drain well and rinse under cold water until completely cooled.
02 - Whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in small bowl until smooth.
03 - Place cooled pasta, diced chicken, crumbled bacon, chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and red onion in large mixing bowl.
04 - Pour dressing over salad mixture and toss gently until evenly coated. Serve immediately or refrigerate 20 minutes for enhanced flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of hot crispy bacon and cold tender pasta creates this incredible temperature contrast that keeps every bite interesting
  • You get all the satisfaction of a BLT sandwich without the bread getting soggy or falling apart in your hands
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta thoroughly under cold water or it will keep cooking and become mushy
  • Add the lettuce right before serving if you are meal prepping so it stays crisp
03 -
  • Cook your bacon in the oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes for the most even, crispy results without the mess
  • Season your pasta water generously so the shells absorb flavor from the inside out
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