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We have been long-time fans of pasta salad recipes. We frequently serve them at family gatherings – especially summer BBQs!

While our classic pasta salad is a favorite, this chicken pasta salad steps it up with a heartier and more satisfying meal or side dish that’s ready in a super quick 20 minutes! Plus it tastes even better when made ahead to let those delicious flavors mingle!

For more pasta salad favorites, try Mozzarella Pasta Salad, Chinese Pasta Salad, and Greek Orzo Pasta Salad.

Why we think you’ll love it:

  • Make it the star. This easy salad recipe is substantial enough to be served as a main dish!
  • In no time. This whips up in only 20 minutes! Of course, the flavors only improve with time, so it can easily be made ahead of time.
  • Great for leftovers. It also stores well in the fridge and makes for delicious next-day lunches.

Chicken Pasta Salad Ingredients and Substitutions

  • 8 ounces spiral pasta – We love using the tri-colored spiral pasta, but any similarly sized pasta will work: fusilli, cavatappi, farfalle, penne, medium shell
  • ¾ cup Italian salad dressing
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise – Increase the mayo for a more creamy texture. 
  • 2 cups cooked seasoned chicken – We used a package of cooked Fiesta chicken from the grocery store, or buy a rotisserie chicken, use leftover chicken from a previous dinner, or cook fresh chicken breasts.
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled – We love using this Bacon in the Oven recipe.
  • 1 cup cubed Colby Jack cheese – or toss in Cheddar cheese, feta cheese, or fresh mozzarella
  • 1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
  • 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, chopped
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Diced tomato, chicken, avocado, bacon, cheese, and peppers in a white bowl.

How to Make Chicken Pasta Salad

  1. PASTA. Cook pasta (until firm) according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
  2. DRESSING. Add Italian dressing and mayo to a small bowl. Whisk until smooth.
  3. ASSEMBLE. In a large bowl, add pasta, cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, cubed cheese, green bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and diced avocado.
    • Pour the dressing over the top and stir until evenly covered.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

  • Cook the pasta to al dente. If you don’t have spiral rotini, try fusilli, cavatappi, farfalle, penne, or medium shell pasta
  • We most often used a package of cooked Fiesta chicken from the grocery store, but other options include cubing a rotisserie chicken, using leftover chicken from a previous dinner, or cooking fresh chicken breasts.
  • While we love the recipe as written, sometimes we add veggies that we have on hand, like green onion, celery, black olives, diced cucumbers, corn, peas, or red onions.
Chicken pasta salad recipe in white bowl.
5 from 19 votes

Chicken Pasta Salad

By: Kristyn Merkley
Creamy chicken pasta salad is quick, easy, and packed with hearty ingredients for a filling side or main dish!
Servings: 10
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Equipment

Ingredients 

  • 8 ounces spiral pasta
  • ¾ cup Italian Salad dressing
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 cups cooked seasoned chicken, we used packaged fiesta chicken
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup cubed Colby Jack cheese
  • 1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
  • 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, chopped

Instructions 

  • Boil water in a medium pot. Add the pasta and cook until firm, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
  • Add the Italian dressing and mayo to a small bowl. Whisk until smooth.
  • In a large bowl, add pasta, chicken, bacon, cheese, green bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and avocado.
  • Pour the dressing over the top and stir until evenly covered.

Video

Notes

Recipe tips.
  • Cook the pasta to al dente. If you don’t have spiral rotini, try fusilli, cavatappi, farfalle, penne, or medium shell pasta
  • We most often used a package of cooked Fiesta chicken from the grocery store, but other options include cubing a rotisserie chicken, using leftover chicken from a previous dinner, or cooking up fresh chicken breasts.
  • While we love the recipe as written, sometimes we add veggies that we have on hand, like green onion, celery, black olives, diced cucumbers, corn, peas, or red onions.
Make ahead of time. Store the bacon bits in a container. Save ¼ of the dressing to add right before serving. Wait to cut the avocado to avoid browning. The rest of the ingredients can be mixed and stored, covered, in the fridge for about 12 hours. To serve, mix in the remaining dressing. Add the bacon and avocado. 
Store leftovers, covered, in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add a little extra Italian dressing and mayonnaise if the pasta gets a bit dry. 

Nutrition

Serving: 10g, Calories: 282kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 309mg, Potassium: 278mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 352IU, Vitamin C: 19mg, Calcium: 106mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

Prep ahead of time?

Prep and store it covered in the fridge. Store the bacon bits in a separate container. Save ¼ of the pasta salad dressing to add right before serving. Wait to cut the avocado to avoid browning. To serve, mix in the remaining dressing. Add the bacon and avocado. 

How to store?

Covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Add a little extra Italian dressing and mayonnaise if the pasta gets a bit dry. 

Complete The Meal

Main Dishes

Pasta Salads

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This recipe was originally published July 2021.

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About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

More About Kristyn

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5 from 19 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




17 Comments

  1. Jeanette says:

    5 stars
    My family loves pasta salad so I’m always looking for new recipes to try. This one is loaded with so many of our favorite goodies — it was a winner with everyone!

    Reply
  2. Mel says:

    5 stars
    This chicken pasta salad was so good at our family BBQ! Everyone was raving about it!

    Reply
  3. Ross says:

    5 stars
    This was a hit at our family barbecue! We loved the crunchy bacon and the chicken combination. The creamy dressing ties everything together. So good!

    Reply
  4. sandra johnson says:

    DEFINITELY LIKE THE CHICKEN PASTA SALAD, PLAN ON HAVING THE GIRLS OVER FOR DINNER, THIS IS IDEAL. THANKS AND I WILL ALSO MAKE TO SHARE WITH THE NEIGHBORS .

    Reply

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