Try this mouthwatering chicken BLT pasta salad recipe for a delicious twist on a classic favourite.
Quick and easy lunches are a lifesaver, especially when you’re caught up during a busy day. That’s why I can’t get enough of the convenient and satisfying chicken BLT pasta salad. With its blend of chicken, crispy turkey bacon (halal of course), lettuce, and juicy tomatoes, all tossed with fusilli pasta, this recipe is a lunchtime winner.
Not only is this dish so easy and quick to prepare, but it’s also a protein-packed option that will keep you energized throughout the day. The combination of chicken and pasta offers a substantial source of protein, making it an ideal choice for those looking to enjoy a lunch high in protein.
Busy schedules often call for smart meal preparation strategies, and that’s where this chicken BLT pasta salad shines. If you’re someone who likes to plan meals in advance, you’ll love the convenience of this recipe. It’s perfect for meal prep, allowing you to make a batch in advance and enjoy it throughout the week.
The best part about this recipe is that you can customize it to your own preferences. Feel free to add your favorite salad ingredients, such as avocado slices, crumbled feta cheese, or sliced olives. This versatility ensures that you can tailor the salad to your preferences, ensuring that you are enjoying it as much as possible.
Before I get into the recipe, make sure to rate this recipe and comment below if you decide to try it! I love hearing what you guys think. Also, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram as I enjoy seeing your recreation of my recipes!
This post is all about the best chicken BLT pasta salad.
Ingredients For The Best BLT Pasta Salad:
- Pasta: You can use any type of bite-size pasta you like. I personally used Fusili
- Chicken breast: I added chicken for extra protein, but you can skip this
- Turkey bacon: This is what adds extra crispiness to the salad and flavour of course
- Romaine lettuce: I always prefer romaine lettuce but you can use iceberg lettuce too
- Tomatoes: Use the kind you prefer. I used cherry tomatoes as I find them sweeter and prefer the taste more
- Cucumber: Adds that extra crunch to your salad and is so refreshing
- Red onion: Adds taste and texture to your salad but if you do not enjoy raw red onions then you can skip this step
- 0% fat natural yogurt/Greek yogurt: The yogurt needs to be a little thick. I used the brand fa*ge
- Piri Piri mayonnaise: This will be mixed with the yogurt to add extra flavour. You can use garlic mayonnaise if you prefer that
- Spices/oil for chicken: Salt, black pepper, parsley flakes, and extra virgin olive oil. This is just to add a little flavour to the chicken. It is best to avoid too many spices in the chicken as it will overtake the taste of the pasta.
- Spices for the dressing: Paprika and parsley flakes. This is to add a little flavour to the dressing (you’ll be mixing this in the yogurt and piri mayonnaise). You can add a little black pepper if you wish but I didn’t as the piri piri mayonnaise tastes good.
How To Make BLT Pasta Salad?
I love BLT sandwiches, especially my egg BLT sandwich which you can find HERE alongside other quick and easy healthy lunch ideas. My love for the sandwich has inspired me to make this chicken BLT pasta salad. I add the chicken for extra protein to keep me fuller for longer. Here are the steps to take to make the best BLT pasta salad.
- Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Once cooked, drain and set aside to cool down. If you are making this ahead (over an hour before lunch) then just let it sit and cool down. If not, then rinse with cold water and set aside whilst you prepare the other ingredients.
- Wash your chicken breast with lemon/white vinegar and salt and rinse well. Add to a bowl and marinate with salt, parsley flakes, black pepper, and a little extra virgin olive oil and place in the oven or air fryer.
- Whilst the chicken is cooking, fry the turkey bacon in no oil (or a little olive oil) and set aside to cool a little so it doesn’t burn your fingers. When cooled, cut into small chunks.
- Wash and chop your lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and red onion.
- In a large bowl, add your pasta, chicken (make sure you have shredded it with a fork or your hand), turkey bacon, and the salad ingredients
- In a separate small bowl, mix the yogurt, piri mayonnaise, parsley flakes, and paprika and pour into the salad, and mix until well combined.
How To Store:
If you are meal-prepping this pasta salad, then make sure you store it in an airtight container and place it in the fridge. Ideally, consume the salad within 2-3 days of preparation for the best taste and texture. After that, the quality may start to deteriorate, and the ingredients may become less crispy.
If possible, store the dressing separately from the salad. Keeping them separate helps to maintain the texture and freshness of the ingredients. Mix the dressing with the salad just before serving.
It is not recommended to freeze chicken BLT pasta salad. Freezing can negatively affect the texture and taste of the ingredients, particularly the lettuce and tomatoes, which can become watery and mushy when it has thawed.
Other Healthy Lunch Recipes You’ll Love:
- Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
- Homemade Chicken Pizza
- Shakshuka
Print Recipe
Chicken BLT Pasta Salad
Try this chicken BLT Pasta Salad that is high in protein and tastes absolutely incredible!
Course: lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: blt, blt pasta salad, chicken blt pasta salad, classic, protein
Servings: 5 people
Ingredients
- 300 grams uncooked bite-sized pasta (I used fusilli)
- 10 turkey bacon slices
- 1 medium chicken breast
- 2-3 heaped tbsp 0% fat plain yogurt/greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup piri piri mayonnaise you can add more if you wish
- 1 small red onion
- 1 1/2 cup chopped lettuce
- A handful of cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 large cucumber
Seasoning for the chicken
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp parsley flakes
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
Spices for the dressing
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp parsley flakes
Instructions
Cook the pasta according to instructions and let it cool down completely once it has cooked (or you can rinse it under cold water)
Whilst the pasta is cooling down, marinate your chicken breast with salt, black pepper, parsley flakes, and olive oil. Pop in the oven at 200 °C for 20 minutes (or until it has cooked through)
When the chicken has cooked, shred the chicken with a fork and let it cool down a little
Fry your turkey bacon in no oil until its cooked and cut it into small chunks
Chop your salad ingredients
In a large bowl, add the pasta, salad ingredients, turkey, and chicken
In a small bowl, mix the yogurt, piri piri mayonnaise, parsley flakes, and paprika and mix well
Pour the dressing into the pasta salad bowl and mix until it's well combined
Enjoy!
This post was all about the best chicken BLT pasta salad.
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did!
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Lots of love, Mariam x
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