Description
A quick and satisfying Chicken Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing featuring vibrant veggies, smoky turkey bacon, and creamy plant-based cheese. This colorful and nutritious salad blends tender chicken, al dente pasta, and zesty natural Italian dressing for a refreshing and balanced meal perfect for lunch, picnic, or an easy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 2 cups cooked rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 4 strips smoked turkey bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Cheese and Dressing
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese cubes (such as mozzarella-style or mild cheddar-style)
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing (natural)
Herbs and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta and Chicken: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool. Meanwhile, grill or pan-fry chicken breasts until fully cooked, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Crisp Up the Turkey Bacon: In a skillet, sauté smoked turkey bacon until crispy. Let it cool, then chop into small pieces to add smoky crunch to the salad.
- Chop and Prepare the Vegetables: Slice red and yellow bell peppers, halve cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice red onion for freshness, color, and crunch.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss together cooked pasta, chicken, turkey bacon, chopped vegetables, and plant-based cheese cubes ensuring an even blend.
- Dress and Season: Pour Italian dressing (natural) over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, then season with salt and black pepper to taste. Chill for 15 minutes if desired to enhance flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh vegetables and herbs for the best flavor.
- Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushiness.
- Chilling the salad before serving helps flavors meld and refreshes the dish.
- Reserve some dressing to add on individual servings if desired.
- Mix the salad gently to maintain texture and prevent mashing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No bake
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: chicken pasta salad, Italian dressing, plant-based cheese, turkey bacon, quick lunch, easy dinner, picnic salad, gluten free
