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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.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
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
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