Chicken BLT Pasta Salad

This is a fun main dish salad that makes for a nice summer dinner or would be welcome at any barbecue or potluck. Chicken and pasta, and then the BLT ingredients, combine beautifully together for a satisfying meal.

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water. While it cooks, put the dressing together. Combine the mayo, vinegar



pepper, basil and 1/2 cup of the parmesan cheese




in a small bowl and stir well. Assemble all the other yummy ingredients: bacon, tomatoes, red onion, green onion and chicken.



When the pasta is done, drain it and transfer it to a large serving bowl. Add the chicken,



the onions,



bacon,



and tomatoes.



Pour the dressing on the salad



and stir well to completely coat all the ingredients. Finally, add the remaining parmesan.



You'll notice I didn't use lettuce this time. You can add it when you add the tomatoes and chicken or you can serve the pasta salad on a bed of lettuce, if you prefer.

One year ago: Bok Choy Chicken Salad (another great main dish salad!)
Two years ago: Fried Zucchini

Find more great stuff at Cast Party Wednesday, What's Cooking Wednesday, What's on the Menu, What's on your plate?, Foodie Wednesday, These Chicks Cooked, Made it on Monday, Let's Do Brunch, Turning the Table Thursday, It's a Keeper, Full Plate Thursday, Pennywise Platter.

Chicken BLT Pasta Salad

1 pound bowtie pasta (Farfalle)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 pound bacon, diced and cooked crisp
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup chopped red onion
4 green onions, sliced
3 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
2-3 cups lettuce, chopped
1 cup mayonnaise (light is ok)
2 Tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. dried basil
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water til al dente; drain. Toss with olive oil.

In a medium bowl, combine mayo, vinegar, pepper, basil and 1/2 cup parmesan. Whisk well to combine.

In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, red onion, green onion and lettuce. Pour dressing over and stir well to coat all the ingredients. Add the remaining 1/2 cup parmesan and stir again. Serves 6-8.