Description
This easy Chicken Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing combines tender grilled chicken, smoky turkey bacon, crisp fresh vegetables, and a lively Italian dressing for a refreshing, protein-packed meal. Perfect for quick lunches, picnics, or light dinners, it offers a zesty, vibrant flavor balanced with wholesome ingredients and customizable options to fit your taste and dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 2 chicken breasts, grilled or baked and sliced
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, crisped and chopped
Pasta and Dressing
- 2 cups rotini or penne pasta
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing (natural)
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, cubed
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 cup spinach leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta, ensuring it stays fresh and firm.
- Prepare the Chicken and Smoked Turkey Bacon: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then grill or bake until cooked through. Slice into bite-sized pieces. Crisp the smoked turkey bacon in a skillet and chop into small bits.
- Chop the Fresh Vegetables: Halve cherry tomatoes, cube cucumber, thinly slice red onion, and chop parsley. These fresh ingredients provide color, crunch, and vibrant flavor.
- Toss Everything Together: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chicken, smoked turkey bacon, vegetables, black olives, and spinach leaves if using. Pour Italian dressing (natural) over the salad and toss gently until evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature for best taste.
Notes
- Use sturdy pasta shapes like rotini or penne to hold dressing and ingredients well.
- Rinse pasta with cold water after cooking to prevent stickiness.
- Add Italian dressing gradually to keep salad light and prevent sogginess.
- Add delicate herbs and greens just before serving for maximum freshness.
- If time allows, marinate chicken in Italian dressing (natural) before cooking for deeper flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: chicken pasta salad, Italian dressing salad, quick pasta salad, protein packed salad, light dinner, picnic recipe, fresh vegetable salad
