Description
Discover a vibrant and refreshing Chicken Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing featuring smoky turkey bacon and creamy plant-based cheese. This easy-to-make salad combines tender grilled chicken, crisp fresh vegetables, and zesty natural Italian dressing for a nutritious and satisfying meal, perfect for lunches, picnics, or light dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 2 cups cooked rotini or fusilli pasta
- 1 large grilled chicken breast, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, finely chopped (optional)
Cheese and Dressing
- 1/2 cup shredded plant-based cheese
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing (natural)
Seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta for the salad.
- Prepare Chicken and Turkey Bacon: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then grill or pan-sear until fully cooked and juicy. Slice into bite-sized pieces. Cook the smoked turkey bacon in a separate pan until crispy, then chop into smaller strips.
- Chop and Prep the Vegetables: While the meats cook, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the cucumber, and finely chop the red onion. If using fresh herbs, chop them finely.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss the cooked pasta, grilled chicken pieces, turkey bacon, vegetables, and shredded plant-based cheese. Pour the natural Italian dressing over and mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Toss again before serving and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain good texture in the salad.
- Use cooled ingredients to keep the salad fresh and crisp.
- Customize the dressing by adjusting herbs and vinegar to your liking.
- Mix ingredients thoroughly for balanced flavor in every bite.
- Prepare in advance for enhanced flavor after resting in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling and Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Chicken pasta salad, Italian dressing salad, turkey bacon salad, plant-based cheese salad, healthy pasta salad
