Go Back
–+ servings
Chicken Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing
Top Delicious Recipe Team

Chicken Pasta Salad with Creamy Dressing

This is a big batch Chicken Pasta Salad with plenty of creamy dressing, lightened up using a combination of sour cream and mayonnaise so it's not excessively oil. Make it today, enjoy it for ...
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 548
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

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

Method
 

  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!

Nutrition

Calories: 548kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 24gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 11gSodium: 1355mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g

Notes

The key to this dish's success lies in cooking the bacon in a cold skillet, allowing the fat to render slowly and ensuring crispy pieces that elevate the salad's texture. This technique prevents the bacon from becoming tough and chewy, while also infusing a rich flavor into the dish.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!