BLT Chicken Pasta Salad (Print Version)

Smoky bacon, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and grilled chicken combined with tender pasta shells in a light, creamy mayo dressing.

# 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 fresh 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 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 well combined.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, grilled chicken, crumbled bacon, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
04 - Pour dressing over salad mixture and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Cold pasta salads that actually satisfy a hungry crowd without feeling like diet food
  • The kind of dish that somehow tastes even better after a night in the fridge
02 -
  • Warm pasta will wilt your lettuce so let it cool completely before mixing
  • The dressing absorbs quickly so add a splash more yogurt if serving the next day
03 -
  • Toast the pasta in olive oil before boiling for a nutty depth most people cannot quite identify
  • A handful of shredded sharp cheddar melted slightly into warm pasta makes it even more irresistible
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