Chicken Pasta Salad
A fresh and flavorful Chicken Pasta Salad, perfect for summer gatherings or quick lunches, featuring rotini pasta, succulent chicken, crispy bacon, and cherry tomatoes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup creamy dressing of your choice (ranch, Italian, or mayonnaise-based)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken pieces in your favorite spices or a simple olive oil and seasoning mix for about 15 minutes.
- Sear the marinated chicken in reserved bacon drippings until golden brown and cooked through, about 10–12 minutes.
- Cook the rotini pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and let cool slightly.
- Combine the cooked rotini pasta, seared chicken, crispy bacon, and halved cherry tomatoes in a large bowl.
- Prepare your chosen creamy dressing and pour it over the salad mixture. Gently toss to coat.
- Serve the chicken pasta salad on a platter, best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Can be prepared ahead of time. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Find it online: https://pennykitchenz.com/chicken-pasta-salad-chicken-pasta/