Chicken Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing is a delicious and satisfying dish that combines tender pasta with juicy chicken and crisp vegetables. This salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or even a light meal at home. The creamy dressing ties everything together, making it a hit for everyone who tries it.
Why Make This Recipe
This Chicken Pasta Salad is not only tasty but also easy to prepare. It’s packed with protein from the chicken and fiber from the vegetables, making it a balanced meal. Plus, you can customize it to your taste by adding your favorite ingredients. It’s great for meal prep and can be stored for several days, so you can enjoy it for lunch or dinner throughout the week.
How to Make Chicken Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing
Ingredients:
- 500g / 1 lb macaroni / elbow pasta (or other pasta of choice)
- 1 tbsp salt (to cook pasta)
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or finely chopped (Note 1)
- 150g / 5 oz bacon, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely sliced
- 1 red capsicum / bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
- 2 medium carrots, shredded using standard box grater
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, tasty, Colby)
- 2 small/medium avocados, cut into bite-size pieces (optional)
- 1 cup mayonnaise (whole egg best, like Hellmann’s or Best Foods)
- 1 cup sour cream (full fat or low fat okay)
- 3 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 4 tsp sugar
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Directions:
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt, then cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well and let it cool.
- Make Dressing: Mix the dressing ingredients in a bowl. Set aside for at least 10 minutes.
- Cook Bacon: Place the bacon in a cold non-stick skillet. Turn the stove to medium-high heat and cook the bacon until golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Toss Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with all the pasta salad ingredients, reserving some bacon for garnish. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well.
- Chill: Set aside for 20 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the remaining bacon. Serve!
How to Serve Chicken Pasta Salad
Serve Chicken Pasta Salad chilled or at room temperature. It works well as a main dish or a side. You can also add more toppings like extra cheese or herbs for added flavor.
How to Store Chicken Pasta Salad
Chicken Pasta Salad can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. It tastes best when allowed to come to room temperature before serving again.
Tips to Make Chicken Pasta Salad
- Make sure to let the pasta cool before mixing to prevent the salad from becoming mushy.
- You can add more vegetables like peas or corn for extra crunch.
- For a lighter option, swap some mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
Variations
Feel free to customize this salad by adding other ingredients like olives, cherry tomatoes, or different cheeses. You can also change the dressing to your preference, like adding herbs for a fresh twist.
FAQs
1. Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?
Yes, leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken works great in this salad.
2. Is the bacon necessary?
No, you can leave out the bacon if you prefer a lighter salad or if you’re looking for a vegetarian option.
3. Can I make this salad the day before serving?
Yes, you can make it ahead of time. Just store it in the fridge and enjoy it the next day.
Chicken Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing
Ingredients
Pasta and Chicken Ingredients
- 500 g macaroni / elbow pasta (or other pasta of choice)
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or finely chopped (Note 1)
- 150 g bacon, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, finely sliced
- 1 medium red capsicum / bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 green onions finely sliced
- 2 medium carrots, shredded using standard box grater
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, tasty, Colby)
- 2 small/medium avocados, cut into bite-size pieces (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise (whole egg best, like Hellmann’s or Best Foods)
- 1 cup sour cream (full fat or low fat okay)
- 3 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 4 tsp sugar
- 1.5 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt, then cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain well and let it cool.
Making Dressing
- Mix the dressing ingredients in a bowl. Set aside for at least 10 minutes.
Cooking Bacon
- Place the bacon in a cold non-stick skillet. Turn the stove to medium-high heat and cook the bacon until golden. Drain on paper towels.
Combining Salad
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with all the pasta salad ingredients, reserving some bacon for garnish. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well.
Chilling
- Set aside for 20 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the remaining bacon. Serve!
