Description

This Chicken Pasta Salad That Tastes Better Than Deli Style is truly irresistible with its fresh flavors, creamy dressing, and crunchy veggies. It’s an easy dish perfect for gatherings or a quick dinner for the family, combining cooked chicken, crisp bacon, and delicious veggies for a refreshing meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound fusilli pasta
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
4 sliced bacon diced and cooked until crisp
3 stalks celery diced
1 red bell pepper diced
1/2 small red onion diced small
2 cups baby spinach
1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
1 1/2 cups low-fat sour cream
1/2 cup low-fat mayonnaise
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a vigorous boil, add the fusilli pasta and kosher salt, then cook according to package instructions. Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water.
While the pasta cooks, crisp the bacon, chop the vegetables, and mix the dressing.
In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, sugar, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper for the dressing. Adjust seasonings to taste.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced chicken, crispy bacon, celery, bell pepper, red onion, spinach, and cherry tomatoes.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently mix to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 48 hours.

Notes

This salad tastes even better after chilling in the fridge, allowing the flavors to meld.
Feel free to customize with your favorite vegetables or proteins for variation.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 17g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 19g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 50mg