Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad with Bacon

Name: Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad with Bacon
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 3 cup cooked chicken; 150 g bacon; 500 g macaroni / elbow pasta; 2 celery stalks; 1 red bell pepper; 2 green onions; 2 carrots, shredded; 2 avocados, diced; 2 cup shredded cheese; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1 cup sour cream; 3 tbsp cider vinegar; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 4 tsp sugar; 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1 tbsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper

This creamy chicken pasta salad is loaded with tender chicken, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, cheese, and avocado in a tangy mayo dressing. It is hearty enough for lunch, easy enough for gatherings, and even better after the flavors mingle for a few minutes.

Servings10 Portions

Prep Time20 Mins

Cook Time10 Mins

Difficulty

Intermediate

Ingredients

cooked chicken
3 cup
bacon
150 g
macaroni / elbow pasta
500 g
celery stalks
2
red bell pepper
1
green onions
2
carrots, shredded
2
avocados, diced
2
shredded cheese
2 cup
mayonnaise
1 cup
sour cream
1 cup
cider vinegar
3 tbsp
Dijon mustard
1 tbsp
sugar
4 tsp
garlic powder
0.5 tsp
salt
1 tbsp
black pepper
1 tsp

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season it with salt. Cook the elbow pasta according to the package directions until just tender, then drain well and let it cool slightly.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth. Let the dressing stand for at least 10 minutes so the flavors can blend.

Place the bacon in a cold nonstick skillet, then set the pan over medium-high heat. Cook until the bacon is crisp and golden, turning as needed, then transfer to paper towels to drain.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, most of the bacon, celery, red bell pepper, green onions, shredded carrots, cheese, and avocado. Reserve a little bacon for topping.

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated. Let the salad rest for 20 minutes, then transfer to a serving bowl, top with the reserved bacon, and serve.