Description
Fresh, vibrant, and easy to prepare, this Chicken Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing combines tender grilled chicken, smoky turkey bacon, crisp vegetables, and a zesty natural Italian dressing for a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Perfect for a light lunch, a hearty side, or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, this salad is versatile, adaptable, and ideal for meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rotini or penne pasta
- 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese (plant-based), crumbled or shredded
Dressing and Garnish
- 1/3 cup natural Italian dressing (natural)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Prepare the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool down, then set aside in a bowl.
- Grill and slice the chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then grill or pan-sear until fully cooked and juicy. Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces to keep it tender.
- Prepare the veggies and bacon: Chop the cherry tomatoes in halves, dice cucumber and bell peppers, and thinly slice the red onion. Cook the smoked turkey bacon until crisp, then roughly chop for adding crunch.
- Toss the salad: Combine the pasta, chicken, vegetables, turkey bacon, and plant-based cheese in a large bowl. Drizzle the natural Italian dressing over the mixture and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Add fresh herbs and chill: Sprinkle chopped parsley or basil on top for freshness. Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness when chilled and dressed.
- Rest grilled chicken for 5 minutes before slicing for juicier texture.
- Use fresh, crisp vegetables to keep the salad lively and prevent sogginess.
- Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor melding.
- Adjust natural Italian dressing before serving if salad seems dry after chilling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Chicken pasta salad, Italian dressing salad, light lunch, easy pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, grilled chicken salad
