BLT Chicken Pasta Salad (Printable)

Smoky bacon, grilled chicken, crisp lettuce and tomatoes tossed with pasta shells in creamy dressing. Perfect for picnics and potlucks.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 - 1.5 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 0.5 cup red onion, finely diced

→ Dressing

07 - 0.33 cup light mayonnaise
08 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
09 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

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.
05 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for 20 minutes to allow flavors to develop before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smoky bacon and fresh tomatoes create this perfect sweet salty crunch that keeps you going back for seconds
  • It tastes even better after chilling for a few hours making it perfect for meal prep or picnics
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta thoroughly under cold water or it will continue cooking and become mushy
  • Wait until the pasta is completely cooled before adding the lettuce or it will wilt instantly
03 -
  • Cook your bacon in the oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes for perfectly even crispy results without the mess
  • The Greek yogurt not only lightens the dressing but adds protein and a tangy backbone
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