4.6 from 186 votes
Chicken Pasta Salad
This chicken pasta salad combines cooked penne pasta with chopped chicken tenders, crisp bacon, halved grape tomatoes, green onions, fresh basil, and shredded Parmesan cheese. A lemon-honey-Dijon dressing with garlic adds bright, tangy flavor that coats the ingredients. Tossing everything together lets the flavors meld, resulting in a vibrant, savory salad perfect at room temperature with extra basil and Parmesan for garnish.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
8
Calories:
512 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup lemon juice fresh
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- black pepper to taste, Kosher salt
- salt to taste, Kosher salt
For the Pasta Salad:
- 1 lb penne pasta or similar pasta
- 1 lb chicken tenders cooked and chopped, boneless skinless, or breasts
- 6 Bacon cooked and chopped, strips
- 2 1/2 cups grape tomato halved
- 3 green onion sliced
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup basil chopped, fresh
- black pepper to taste, Kosher salt
- salt to taste, Kosher salt
- Parmesan Cheese for garnish, extra
- basil for garnish, extra
Instructions
- To make the dressing, combine the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until well combined.
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain well and transfer to large bowl.
- Add the cooked chicken, bacon, tomatoes, green onions, Parmesan cheese, and basil to the pasta. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- For best flavor, let the salad stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra basil and Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Use any cooked chicken such as grilled, baked, sautéed, or rotisserie to suit your preference.
- For added greens, stir in arugula or chopped spinach before serving.
- Add diced avocado right before serving to keep it fresh and creamy.
Nutrition Information
Calories
512kcal
(26%)
Carbohydrates
47g
(16%)
Protein
27g
(54%)
Fat
22g
(34%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
3g
(18%)
Monounsaturated Fat
14g
(70%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
56mg
(19%)
Sodium
389mg
(16%)
Potassium
521mg
(11%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
634IU
(13%)
Vitamin C
12mg
(13%)
Calcium
177mg
(18%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 512
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 512kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 47g | 16% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 56mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 389mg | 16% |
| Potassium | 521mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 634IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 12mg | 13% |
| Calcium | 177mg | 18% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.