5.0 from 84 votes
Chicken Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing
Recipe video above. This is a big batch Chicken Pasta Salad with plenty of creamy dressing, lightened up using a combination of sour cream and mayonnaise so it's not excessively oil. Make it today, enjoy it for days!After a no mayo version? Use a Creamy Yogurt Dressing instead.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Servings: 10 - 12
Calories: 548 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Salad , Lunch
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 500g / 1 lb macaroni / elbow pasta (or other pasta of choice)
- 1 tbsp salt (to cook pasta)
Pasta Salad:
- 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 carrots (medium), shredded using standard box grater
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, tasty, Colby)
- 2 avocados (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 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!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Cooked chicken - I just use store bought rotisserie chicken. You can also poach your own - use this foolproof poaching method.
- Bacon cooking - starting with a cold skillet makes the bacon fat melt as it heat up, so you don't need any oil to cook the bacon.
- No mayo dressing - use a Creamy Yogurt Dressing instead. My favourites for pasta salad are the Yogurt Ranch and Yogurt Potato Salad dressing.
- Storage - Keeps for 5 days in the fridge. Not suitable for freezing.
- Nutrition per serving.
Nutrition Information
Calories
548cal
(27%)
Carbohydrates
37g
(12%)
Protein
24g
(48%)
Fat
33g
(51%)
Saturated Fat
11g
(55%)
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
76mg
(25%)
Sodium
1355mg
(56%)
Potassium
410mg
(12%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
2390IU
(48%)
Vitamin C
16mg
(18%)
Calcium
183mg
(18%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10- 12
Amount Per Serving
Calories 548
% 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.