Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

It is a huge batch Chicken Pasta Salad with loads of creamy dressing, lightened up utilizing a mixture of bitter cream and mayonnaise so it’s not excessively oil. Make it as we speak, take pleasure in it for days!

After a no-mayo model? Use a creamy Yogurt Dressing as a substitute.

That is an old-school Chicken Pasta Salad that comes with a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, and many add-ins. Carrot, celery, capsicum (bell peppers), inexperienced onion, BACON, cheese and even avocado, for those who so select.

What I actually like is that it’s good and “moist”. That’s, loads of dressing, however you received’t really feel weighed down after scoffing down an enormous bowl of this as a result of the dressing is made with a 50/50 mixture of each mayonnaise and bitter cream.

It makes such a distinction – all of the creaminess, far much less oil!

Right here’s what you want for the lightened-up-but-still-creamy dressing:

• Mayonnaise – Use entire egg mayonnaise, for the perfect flavour. It’s smoother and richer-tasting than non whole-egg mayonnaise. My favorite manufacturers are Hellman’s and S&W. Should you don’t have whole-egg mayonnaise, lower down on the cider vinegar barely, in any other case the dressing is a bit vinegary (for my part);

• Bitter cream – As famous above, it’s used to chop down on the mayonnaise however nonetheless go away you with a stunning creamy dressing;

• Dijon mustard and garlic powder – Flavourings. Everyone is aware of I’m a Dijon mustard tragic!;

• Cider vinegar – For the tang; and

• Sugar – Only a contact, for stability and since that’s the old-school method!

And right here’s what I put on this pasta salad:

• Chicken – Purchase it cooked or poach your individual. Then shred or finely chop into type of baton shapes – see under for photograph. It melds higher with the pasta and eats extra simply than having chunky cubes;

• Macaroni (additionally known as elbow pasta) – The unique pasta salad form. However actually, you should utilize any quick pasta you need: penne, ziti, bow ties, spirals and many others;

• Inexperienced onion – For freshness and good bits of inexperienced color;

• Carrot and celery – Normal creamy pasta salad vegetable add-ins;

• Capsicum/bell pepper – For pretty, crunchy little specks of pink all through;

• Shredded cheese – As a result of I all the time have and all the time will; and

• Bacon – For nice little pops of salty goodness. Ham additionally works very well (bonus: no must cook dinner it).

It’s very nice and easy:

1. Pasta – Cook dinner pasta in salted water. Don’t skip the salt within the water, it actually makes a distinction with pasta salads;

2. Dressing – Combine it up, and put aside for 10 minutes or so, to let the flavours come collectively;

3. Cook dinner bacon till golden and crisp, then drain on paper towels;

4. Toss – Toss the whole lot collectively very well. Devour!

Additionally, I’d be remiss to not point out some terrific no-mayo creamy dressing choices! Whether or not you’ve acquired mayo-haters in your life (I appear to have a weird variety of these) or just as a decrease fats different, attempt a Creamy Yogurt Dressing as a substitute. Use both the Yogurt Ranch or Yogurt Potato Salad Dressing, each are terrific for pasta salad.

It is a actually nice summer season staple. It might do obligation as an enormous batch picnic dish that’s at house at each BBQ unfold, as a useful fast meal, a dinner facet or work lunch.

My one huge tip is to serve it at room temperature. There are few issues in life which might be higher fridge chilly (maybe beer), and chilly pasta salad isn’t one in every of them. The pasta is agency, the dressing is a bit pasty and also you simply can’t style the flavours as properly.

So take it out of the fridge not less than half-hour earlier than you intend to serve it to take the fridge sit back of it.

Get pleasure from! – Johnsat x

Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

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Serves: 10 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 10 minutes 10 minutes

Nutrition facts: 548 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

• 500g / 1 lb macaroni / elbow pasta (or other pasta of choice)
• 1 tbsp salt (to cook pasta)
• 3 cups cooked chicken , shredded or finely chopped (Note 1)
• 150g / 5 oz bacon , chopped
• 2 celery stalks , finely sliced
• 1 red capsicum / bell pepper , finely diced
• 2 green onions , finely sliced
• 2 carrots (medium), shredded using standard box grater
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, tasty, Colby)
• 2 avocados (small/medium), cut into bite size pieces (optional)
• 1 cup mayonnaise , whole egg best (Hellmann’s, Best Foods, S&W or other whole egg mayonnaise)
• 1 cup sour cream , full fat (low fat ok too)
• 3 tbsp cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 4 tsp sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

Instructions

1. Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add salt, then cook pasta per packet directions. Drain well, let cool.
2. Dressing: Mix Dressing ingredients in a bowl. Set aside 10 minutes+.
3. Cook bacon: Place bacon in a cold non-stick skillet (Note X). Turn stove on to medium high, then cook bacon until golden. Drain on paper towels.
4. Toss! Place cooked pasta in a large bowl along with all the Pasta Salad ingredients, reserving some bacon for garnish. Pour over Dressing, then toss well.
5. Set aside for 20 minutes. Transfer to serving bowl, sprinkle with remaining bacon. Serve!
6. Storage: Keeps for 3 – 4 days in the fridge. Best to bring to room temp before serving!

Notes

1. Cooked chicken – I just use store bought rotisserie chicken. You can also poach your own – use this foolproof poaching method.
2. Bacon cooking – starting with a cold skillet makes the bacon fat melt as it heat up, so you don’t need any oil to cook the bacon.
3. No mayo dressing – use a Creamy Yogurt Dressing instead. My favourites for pasta salad are the Yogurt Ranch and Yogurt Potato Salad dressing.
4. Storage – Keeps for 5 days in the fridge. Not suitable for freezing.
5. Nutrition per serving.

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Sarah Miller

Hi, I’m Sarah Millar!
I’m a food blogger who loves creating quick and easy recipes that bring big flavor without the fuss. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated — and I’m here to share simple, fast food ideas that anyone can make at home. When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll usually find me tasting new dishes, exploring cafés, or coming up with fresh food hacks to make everyday meals more fun.

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