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    Home » Salads

    Chicken Bacon Pasta Salad

    Published: Jun 17, 2022 · Modified: Jun 17, 2022 by Mariah Knight

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    Chicken Bacon Pasta Salad is a flavorful side dish that your friends and family will love! It comes together fairly quickly, and it's topped with a homemade creamy dressing with fresh cilantro.

    Overhead picture of chicken bacon pasta salad.

    Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a commission if you choose to purchase through qualifying links.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • 🍴Ingredient Notes
    • 🍴Step by Step Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • How to store leftovers
    • Recipe
    • Want more recipes?
    • 💬 Reviews

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • This dish is bursting with flavor and made with simple ingredients that you'll feel good serving to your family and friends.
    • It's gluten-free AND dairy-free!
    • It's a great side dish for grilled food or summer picnics!

    I recommend cooking extra chicken and bacon for meal prep. Use leftovers to make my simple Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps!

    🍴Ingredient Notes

    Overhead picture of chicken bacon pasta salad ingredients.
    • Gluten-Free Pasta - For this recipe I used Jovial Cassava Flour Penne, but any gluten-free pasta would work for this recipe! I would not recommend the brown rice version because it gets too firm up as it cools.
    • Chicken Breast - I love using Butcher Box chicken breast. To save time, use a rotisserie chicken!
    • Cherry Tomatoes - Any small tomato will work!
    • Avocados - Make sure the avocados are soft before cutting into them.
    • Diced Red Onion - To tone down the flavor of red onion, let the diced onion sit in a bowl of water for 10 minutes.
    • Bacon - Any bacon will work but I love using Butcher Box.

    Creamy Dressing

    • Mayo - I used Primal Kitchen Mayo made with avocado oil.
    • Cilantro - Fresh cilantro works best! You'll need a little extra for garnish on top.
    • Lemon Juice - Fresh squeezed lemon juice gives this creamy dressing a lighter feel!
    • Apple Cider Vinegar - You only need a splash!
    • Paprika - To give this dressing a kick, I love adding paprika! Feel free to add more if you like it spicy!
    • Garlic Powder - Just a subtle hint of garlic rounds out the flavors in this dish.

    🍴Step by Step Instructions

    Step 1: Cooking Pasta

    Start by cooking pasta based on the instructions on the package. Rinse, and set aside to cool while you prepare the other ingredients.

    Step 2: Preparing Chicken & Bacon

    Next, cook the chicken breast in a skillet on medium heat for about 6 minutes on each side. (Or until you can't see pink in the center.)

    Then cook the bacon on medium heat until crispy. Set bacon and chicken aside to cool.

    Cooked chicken breast and bacon on a white plate.

    Step 3: Putting together pasta salad

    Finally, add pasta, diced red onion, cherry tomatoes, avocado, chopped chicken breast, and bacon pieces into a large bowl.

    Pasta salad ingredients in a large white bowl.

    Step 4: Making Creamy Dressing

    Whisk together dressing ingredients with a fork or whisk until smooth and creamy. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and place in the refrigerator to chill.

    Creamy dressing in clear glass bowl.

    Expert Tips

    • Generously salt the water when you add in the pasta. I find this gives the pasta a little more flavor as it's cooking!
    • Rinse the pasta after you drain it. I've found that rinsing it with cool water after you drain it helps to bring down the temperature before you mix the salad together.
    • Add olive oil to the pasta to avoid it sticking together and becoming a huge clump.
    • Prepare the salad ahead of time. I typically serve mine at least an hour after I make it. The flavors take time to mesh together, and it tastes best when it's chilled.
    • Don't feel like making the dressing? Pour over ranch dressing to make prep time easier! (Primal Kitchen is my favorite!)
    Wooden spoon holding up a scoop of pasta salad.

    How to store leftovers

    Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container - I like using glass containers! You can also cover the serving bowl with plastic or reusable wrap.

    Store it in the refrigerator for up to five days.

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    After you make this Chicken Bacon Pasta Salad, make sure to leave a comment & rate the recipe!

    Recipe

    Overhead picture of chicken bacon pasta salad.

    Chicken Bacon Pasta Salad

    Chicken Bacon Pasta Salad is a flavorful side dish that your friends and family will love! It comes together fairly quickly, and it's topped with a homemade creamy dressing with fresh cilantro.
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share on Facebook
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10
    Calories 430 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 16 Ounces Gluten-Free Pasta
    • 1 Pound Chicken Breast
    • 2 Cups Cherry Tomatoes, cut in half
    • 2 Avocados, peeled and cubed
    • ½ Cup Diced Red Onion
    • 6 Ounces Bacon

    Dressing

    • ½ Cup Mayo I used Primal Kitchen Mayo made with avocado oil.
    • ⅓ Cup Cilantro
    • ¼ Cup Lemon Juice
    • 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
    • ½ Teaspoon Salt
    • ½ Teaspoon Paprika
    • ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder

    Instructions
     

    • Start by cooking pasta based on the instructions on the package. Rinse, and set aside to cool while you prepare the other ingredients.
    • Next, cook the chicken breast in a skillet on medium heat for about 6 minutes on each side. (Or until you can't see pink in the center.)
    • Then cook the bacon on medium heat until crispy. Set bacon and chicken aside to cool.
    • Finally, add pasta, diced red onion, cherry tomatoes, avocado, chopped chicken breast, and bacon pieces into a large bowl.
    • Whisk together dressing ingredients with a fork or whisk until smooth and creamy. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and place in the refrigerator to chill.

    Notes

    ** Nutrition facts will vary depending on what pasta you use.

    Expert Tips

    • Generously salt the water when you add in the pasta. I find this gives the pasta a little more flavor as it's cooking!
    • Rinse the pasta after you drain it. I've found that rinsing it with cool water after you drain it helps to bring down the temperature before you mix the salad together.
    • Add olive oil to the pasta to avoid it sticking together and becoming a huge clump.
    • Prepare the salad ahead of time. I typically serve mine at least an hour after I make it. The flavors take time to mesh together, and it tastes best when it's chilled.
    • Don't feel like making the dressing? Pour over ranch dressing to make prep time easier! (Primal Kitchen is my favorite!)
    See full post for more information and step by step photos. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 430kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 17gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 384mgPotassium: 486mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 276IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg
    Keywords chicken bacon pasta salad, dairy free pasta salad, gluten free pasta salad
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @freshwaterpeaches on Instagram!

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    Hi, I'm Mariah!

    I am a food photographer and recipe developer based in Connecticut. I love all things gut health, clean living, and I have a slight obsession with chocolate! Here you'll find simple and easy to make gluten-free, dairy-free recipes that your whole family will love!

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