Chicken Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Servings
10 - 12
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Calories
548 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Salad, Lunch
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Cuisine
American
Chicken Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing
Description
The Chicken Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing features cooked macaroni mixed with cooked shredded chicken, chopped bacon, celery, bell pepper, green onions, and shredded carrots. The mix is bound together by a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise and sour cream, enhanced with cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and black pepper to balance tang, sweetness, and seasoning.
The recipe calls for crisping the bacon in a skillet starting from cold to render fat without adding oil. The pasta is cooked until tender and cooled before combining with the salad ingredients and dressing. Setting the salad aside for about 20 minutes allows the flavors to meld together.
This salad is versatile, served cold or at room temperature, suitable for gatherings or casual meals. The combination of textures from veggies, cheese, and bacon adds interest, while the creamy dressing ties the flavors together.
Using pre-cooked chicken like rotisserie simplifies preparation. The salad keeps well refrigerated for up to four days and is best brought to room temperature before serving. Alternatives to the mayo-based dressing include creamy yogurt-based dressings for a lighter option.
Ingredients
- 500g / 1 lb macaroni pasta or other pasta of choice, or elbow pasta
- 1 tbsp salt (to cook pasta)
Pasta Salad:
- 3 cups chicken shredded or finely chopped (Note 1, cooked
- 150g / 5 oz Bacon , chopped
- 2 celery finely sliced, stalks
- 1 red bell pepper finely diced, or capsicum
- 2 green onions , finely sliced
- 2 carrot medium), shredded using standard box grater
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded; or tasty, Colby cheese
- 2 avocado small/medium), cut into bite size pieces (optional
DRESSING:
- 1 cup mayonnaise , whole egg best (Hellmann's, Best Foods, S&W or other whole egg mayonnaise)
- 1 cup sour cream , full fat (low fat ok too)
- 3 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 4 tsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add salt, then cook pasta per packet directions. Drain well, let cool.
- Dressing: Mix Dressing ingredients in a bowl. Set aside 10 minutes+.
- Cook bacon: Place bacon in a cold non-stick skillet (Note X). Turn stove on to medium high, then cook bacon until golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Toss! Place cooked pasta in a large bowl along with all the Pasta Salad ingredients, reserving some bacon for garnish. Pour over Dressing, then toss well.
- Set aside for 20 minutes. Transfer to serving bowl, sprinkle with remaining bacon. Serve!
- Storage: Keeps for 3 - 4 days in the fridge. Best to bring to room temp before serving!
Notes
- Store the chicken pasta salad in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, bringing to room temperature before serving.
- Use store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenient shredded cooked chicken, or poach your own if preferred.
- Start bacon cooking in a cold skillet for best rendered fat without extra oil.
- For a mayo-free dressing, substitute with a creamy yogurt-based dressing like Yogurt Ranch or Yogurt Potato Salad style.
- Not suitable for freezing due to texture changes in the salad ingredients upon thawing.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10- 12
Amount Per Serving
Calories 548 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 548cal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 24g | 48% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 76mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 1355mg | 56% |
| Potassium | 410mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 2390IU | 48% |
| Vitamin C | 16mg | 18% |
| Calcium | 183mg | 18% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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