Description
A delightful chicken pasta salad that combines crispy bacon, tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy dressing for a perfect meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 Chicken Breasts
- 4 slices Bacon
- 8 oz Rotini Pasta
- 1 cup Diced Tomatoes
- 1 cup Diced Bell Peppers
- 1 cup Shredded Cheese (Cheddar or Mozzarella)
- 1/2 cup Dressing (Ranch or Italian)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
- Crisp the Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove and crumble, leaving drippings in the pan.
- Sear the Chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear in the residual bacon drippings for about 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through. Remove and slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the pasta, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, bell peppers, and cheese.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle dressing over the mixture and toss gently until well-coated.
- Chill and Serve: Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving cold.
Notes
This salad tastes better the next day, and you can customize it with extra vegetables or proteins.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: chicken, pasta salad, quick meal, summer recipe