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Chicken Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

Chicken Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

  • Author: Eric
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Chicken Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is a vibrant and refreshing meal combining tender cooked chicken, al dente pasta, crisp vegetables, smoked turkey bacon, and creamy plant-based cheese, all tossed in a zesty natural Italian dressing enhanced with olive oil and grape juice. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or picnics, this easy-to-make salad offers a balanced mix of flavors, textures, and colors that is protein-packed and customizable to your taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 cup cooked diced chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup smoked turkey bacon, cooked and chopped

Pasta

  • 2 cups cooked rotini or penne pasta (al dente)

Vegetables

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Cheese

  • 1/2 cup plant-based cheese, cubed

Dressing

  • 1/3 cup natural Italian dressing
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon grape juice (natural)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the rotini or penne pasta, and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and stop the cooking process.
  2. Prepare the Chicken and Smoked Turkey Bacon: While the pasta cooks, dice the cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Cook smoked turkey bacon until crisp yet tender, then chop into small strips or bits.
  3. Chop the Fresh Vegetables and Cheese: Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, finely chop the red onion, cube the plant-based cheese, and finely chop the fresh parsley to evenly distribute flavor.
  4. Mix the Italian Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the natural Italian dressing, olive oil, and grape juice until well combined to balance acidity and sweetness.
  5. Toss and Combine: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, diced chicken, smoked turkey bacon, vegetables, plant-based cheese, and parsley. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.

Notes

  • Keep cooked pasta and chicken cool separately before combining to avoid sogginess.
  • Start with a light amount of dressing and add more as needed to prevent a watery salad.
  • Refrigerate the salad for at least one hour before serving to enhance flavors.
  • Chop ingredients uniformly for balanced texture and consistent flavor in every bite.
  • Add fresh herbs like parsley just before serving to keep the salad bright and refreshing.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: No-Bake
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 550mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg

Keywords: chicken pasta salad, Italian dressing salad, plant-based cheese salad, smoked turkey bacon salad, gluten free pasta salad, healthy chicken salad

Find it online: https://smartmealsguide.com/chicken-pasta-salad-with-italian-dressing/