BLT Chicken Pasta Salad (Printable)

Smoky bacon, grilled chicken, fresh tomatoes, and crisp lettuce tossed with pasta shells in a creamy mayo dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta & Proteins

01 - 8 ounces medium pasta shells
02 - 2 cups cooked grilled chicken breast, diced
03 - 6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled

→ Vegetables

04 - 1½ cups romaine lettuce, chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - ½ cup red onion, finely diced

→ Dressing

07 - ⅓ cup light mayonnaise
08 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Cook pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water until cooled completely.
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 the cooled pasta, grilled chicken, crumbled bacon, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
05 - Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The smoky bacon and tangy dressing cling to every pasta shell, so no bite is boring
  • It travels beautifully and actually tastes better after the flavors hang out together for a while
02 -
  • I once added the lettuce too early and ended up with a soggy mess, so timing matters more than you'd think.
  • Letting the salad chill for 20 minutes transforms it from good to absolutely worth repeating.
03 -
  • Cook your bacon extra crispy, because it softens once it hits the dressing
  • Double the dressing if you're meal prepping, as pasta absorbs it overnight
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