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This chicken pasta salad is quick, easy, and packed with hearty ingredients for a filling side or main dish!
Pasta Salad to Love!
We have been long-time fans of pasta salad recipes. We frequently serve them as side dishes at family gatherings – especially summer BBQs!
Our classic Pasta Salad Recipe is a go-to, but this chicken pasta salad is perfect for when you need a salad that is heartier and more filling.
Why we love it:
- Make it the star. This easy salad recipe is substantial enough to be served as a main dish!
- Adaptable. Easily swap ingredients to make it vegetarian or gluten-free, according to your dietary needs!
- 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.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 10 minutes COOK TIME: 10 minutes
- 8 ounces spiral pasta – I love using the tri-colored spiral pasta, but any similarly sized pasta will work: penne, medium shell, bow-tie, or wagon wheel. You can also use gluten-free pasta.
- ¾ cup Italian salad dressing
- ¼ cup mayonnaise – Increase the mayo for a more creamy texture.
- 2 cups cooked seasoned chicken – I 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 up fresh chicken breasts or thighs. Oven Baked Chicken, Baked Chicken Fingers, Chicken Tenders, or grilled Chicken Marinade
- 8 sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled – I love 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
How to Make Chicken Pasta SAlad
- PASTA. Boil water in a medium pot. Add 8 ounces noodles and cook pasta until firm, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- DRESSING. Add ¾ cup Italian dressing and ¼ cup mayo to a small bowl. Whisk until smooth.
- ASSEMBLE. In a large bowl, add pasta, 2 cups cooked chicken, 8 slices of crumbled bacon, 1 cup cubed cheese, 1 cup chopped green bell pepper, 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, and 1 diced avocado.
- Pour the dressing over the top and stir until evenly covered.
Complete the Meal
- Main dishes: Pulled Pork Recipe, Baby Back Ribs, Ranch Burger
- Desserts: Lemon Pound Cake, Panna Cotta, Angel Food Cake
- More pasta salads: Macaroni Salad, Greek Pasta Salad, Mozzarella Pasta Salad
More collections: Pasta Salad Recipes, BBQ Side Dishes, Summer Side Dishes
Chicken Pasta Salad
Creamy chicken pasta salad is quick, easy, and packed with hearty ingredients for a filling side or main dish!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spiral pasta
- ¾ cup Italian Salad dressing
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups cooked seasoned chicken, we used packaged fiesta chicken
- 8 sliced 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 together 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
Make ahead of time. Store it covered in the fridge. Store the bacon bits in a separate container. Save ¼ of the 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.
STORE leftovers, covered, in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add a little Italian dressing 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
Additions?
- Add veggies like green onions, olives, celery, black olives, diced cucumbers, corn, peas, or red onions.
- Replace cooked chicken with cooked turkey or cubed ham.
Add extra flavor to chicken pasta salad?
- Season to taste with black pepper, salt, and garlic salt. Add in some red pepper flakes for a kick. Add in fresh herbs like fresh basil or fresh parsley. Spritz on some lemon juice.
Can I make chicken pasta salad ahead of time?
- 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 leftover chicken pasta salad?
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add a little Italian dressing if the pasta gets a bit dry.
Lovely name Luna like my daughter’s name Bianca Luna 💕🌺. We love all the salads and pasta salad recipes 🥗 👍.
Thank you!
You’re welcome!! And your daughter’s name is beautiful!
I cannot wait to try this !!! My husband will love it.
Hope you both enjoy the pasta salad!
This is my go to for pot lucks! Quick, easy and delish!
I loved this recipe. It was easy to toss together and I ate more than I should have!
Very tasty salad – was a hit at my house – my only question is it says it makes 10 servings …..is that 1 cup portions?
Yes, that would be for smaller portions (like as a side). It may not serve quite as many if served as the main dish. Glad to hear your family enjoyed the salad!!
We love salads! This pasta salad is so yummy and can be prepared a head of time.
What a great way to jazz up our regular pasta salad. Love the creaminess & chicken. It makes it more hearty.
This is such a great thing to bring to a potluck with friends. Everyone rants and raves!
I had leftover grilled chicken and decided to make this for lunch and it turned out perfect, this was the best way to use up the leftovers, super delicious and easy to make!
We love this pasta salad, it has so many yummy mix ins. I make it for every picnic.