Chicken Pasta Salad
Chicken Pasta Salad- the BEST pasta salad for potlucks, parties, and picnics! This simple pasta salad has chicken, bacon, tomatoes, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, and a light lemon dressing.
Ingredients
- ½ cupolive oil
- 1 teaspoonlemon zest
- ¼ cupfresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoonshoney
- 1 teaspoondijon mustard
- 2 clovesgarlic, (minced)
- kosher salt and black pepper, (to taste)
- 1 lbpenne pasta or similar pasta
- 1 lbboneless skinless chicken tenders or breasts, (cooked and chopped)
- 6strips bacon, (cooked and chopped)
- 2 ½ cupshalved grape tomatoes
- 3green onions, (sliced)
- 1 cupshredded parmesan cheese
- ½ cupchopped fresh basil
- kosher salt and black pepper, (to taste)
- extra basil and parmesan cheese, (for garnish)
Directions
- 1
To make the dressing, combine the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until well combined.
- 2
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain well and transfer to large bowl.
- 3
Add the cooked chicken, bacon, tomatoes, green onions, Parmesan cheese, and basil to the pasta. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- 4
For best flavor, let the salad stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra basil and Parmesan cheese, if desired.