BLT Chicken Pasta Salad (Printable)

Smoky bacon, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and grilled chicken with pasta shells in a light, creamy mayo dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta & Proteins

01 - 8 ounces medium pasta shells
02 - 2 cups cooked grilled chicken breast, diced
03 - 6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled

→ Vegetables

04 - 1½ cups romaine lettuce, chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - ½ cup red onion, finely diced

→ Dressing

07 - ⅓ cup light mayonnaise
08 - 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Cook pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled.
02 - Whisk together light mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
03 - Combine cooled pasta, grilled chicken, crumbled bacon, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and red onion in a large mixing bowl.
04 - Pour dressing over salad and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated with dressing.
05 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The pasta absorbs all that tangy dressing while staying perfectly tender
  • Bacon makes everything better, especially when paired with fresh summer tomatoes
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta thoroughly with cold water, or the residual heat will wilt your lettuce and make the dressing separate
  • Add the lettuce right before serving, not during prep—it gets soggy faster than you'd think
03 -
  • Pat your lettuce completely dry with paper towels after washing, or water will dilute your dressing
  • If making ahead, keep a little extra dressing aside to refresh the salad before serving
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