BLT Chicken Pasta Salad (Printer View)

Fresh salad combining smoky bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, grilled chicken, and pasta shells tossed in light creamy 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 - 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 fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Method:

01 - Cook pasta shells according to package instructions. 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 prepared dressing over salad and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for 20 minutes to allow flavors to fully develop before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent but uses light mayo and Greek yogurt, so you can go back for seconds without the guilt.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead and tossed together right before serving, making it a lifesaver for busy days.
  • The combination of crispy bacon, tender chicken, and fresh veggies means every forkful has texture and flavor.
  • It works as a main dish or a side, and somehow always gets compliments at potlucks.
02 -
  • Always rinse your pasta under cold water after draining—it stops the cooking and keeps the salad from turning into a gummy mess.
  • Add the lettuce at the last possible moment if you're making this ahead, or it will wilt and lose its crunch.
  • Taste the dressing before tossing it in—salads need more seasoning than you think, and it's easier to fix it in the bowl than after.
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken to save time—it's already seasoned and juicy, and nobody will know you didn't grill it yourself.
  • Cook your bacon in the oven on a sheet pan at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes—it comes out perfectly crisp with no babysitting required.
  • If the salad seems dry after chilling, stir in an extra tablespoon of mayo or Greek yogurt to bring it back to life.
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