Chicken Bacon Apple Pasta Salad
Chicken Bacon Apple Pasta Salad is a creamy, make-ahead pasta salad with sweet and savory flavor, high protein, and plenty of crunch for lunch or dinner.
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat rotini pasta
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast chopped
- 4 slices center-cut bacon
- 2 large apples chopped
- ¾ cup celery chopped
- ⅓ cup red onion finely chopped
- ½ cup reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese diced
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
For the Creamy Apple Dijon Dressing:
- ½ cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon light Mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add the rotini pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Drain the pasta in a colander. Rinse the pasta under cold water. Drain the pasta well.
- Place the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the bacon for 8 to 10 minutes, turning as needed, until crisp.
- Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Let the bacon cool. Crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- Add the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add the chicken, apples, celery, red onion, cheddar cheese, dried cranberries, parsley, and bacon.
- In a small mixing bowl, add the Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Using a wire whisk, mix the dressing until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad. Toss until the pasta salad is evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl. Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Stir before serving.
Notes
Serving Size: 1½ Cups Chicken Pasta Salad
Tips and Tricks
Chop the apples close to mixing time - Apples can brown after they are cut. Add them close to when you mix the salad so they stay fresh. Use crisp apples - Soft apples can break down in the salad. Crisp apples hold up better after chilling.Storing
Store in the Refrigerator - Place the pasta salad in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir Before Serving - Stir the pasta salad before serving. Add a small spoonful of Greek yogurt or a splash of apple cider vinegar if the salad seems dry.Nutrition
Serving: 1.5CupCalories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 36gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 235mgPotassium: 362mgFiber: 8gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 112mgIron: 5mg
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