How’s that for a lengthy recipe name? All the elements of this salad were so delicious, I didn’t want to leave any out in the description. This was the creation after I made the Chicken and White Bean Stew and had leftover chicken, bacon and spinach. It turned out fantastic! Talk about a fast, easy but incredibly filling and delectable meal. It made great leftovers, too, and everyone in my family gobbled it up.
Pasta Chicken Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Spinach and Bacon
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Printable Version with Picture
INGREDIENTS:
5 strips bacon, fried and chopped into bite-sized pieces
3-4 green onions, chopped
1 lb tube pasta (I used Cellentani), cooked, drained and cooled to room temperature
1 lb chicken, cooked and shredded (I used ½ of a rotisserie chicken)
4 cups fresh spinach leaves, torn into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (I used oil-packed, if using dry, plump them in hot water before using)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
DIRECTIONS:
Place the mayonnaise and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Whisk well. In a large bowl, combine pasta, bacon, green onions, shredded chicken, spinach leaves and sun-dried tomatoes. Toss lightly. Add about ½ to ¾ of the mayonnaise and vinegar mixture. Toss to combine. Add more dressing if the salad seems dry.
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
This sounds like everything I love all rolled into one!!
Looks YUMMY, I’m going to put it on the menu. Thank you for keeping me looking forward to cooking (of all things!) in the middle of the winter when I am so ready for spring! I love your new title on the blog…I realize it’s the same name but new look.
I made it! Last night, we had company, two ladies visiting from France. i knew this salad would make enough for all of us and I was planning on it already…I went ahead. YUM! I loved it but most importantly the company liked it AND Ugo told me last night AND this morning that he liked it. That is a good dish in my book. Thanks Mel!
We tried this tonight and it was a success!! My husband loved it. My twin 6 yr olds and 4 yr old boys ate it up without complaint. Thanks for the great recipe!
Yum! This looks absolutely delicious. And by the way, I love the new headers on your blogs! Pretty stylin.
WOW…this looks wonderful! I love, love, love sun-dried tomatoes…I’m gonna have to try this one!
My husband LOVES pasta salads and bacon–2 things he thinks I do not make enough–so thank you for this delicious recipe!
we loved it!!Thanks for a great recipe!
We had this for dinner tonight and we loved it. Jed especially liked it – he loves bacon! The prep time was so quick. Perfect!
I’m so glad you liked it Cammi! Thanks for commenting back.
Tried it and loved it!
Melinda – that’s too funny, I think we made this the exact same night!! So glad you guys liked it (especially your kids)! Thanks for commenting and letting me know how it turned out.
Traci Elizabeth – SO glad you liked it! Thanks for letting me know…
Mel!! I made this! I think I’ve only made one other pasta salad in my life, but this was SOOOOOO yummy! And all the girls loved it! Way good. Way. Highly recommended. Highly. Thank you!
Thanks, Becky!
This looks really tasty! I’m planning on making it next week. It looks like there’s cheese on it in the pictures, but I don’t see it in the ingredients. Did you put cheese in it, and if so, what kind?
Sarah – I sometimes sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese on top – and probably did when I snapped this picture.
Thanks. I’m making this for dinner tonight! By the way, we loved the Kalua pork. We had a ton leftover but it was delicious!
This was delicious! Thanks for a great, quick, easy recipe!!
Hey Mel! I was wondering if you had a recipe for a pasta salad that doesn’t use mayonnesse or miracle whip. I cannot have anything with emulcified egg in it, that leaves out ranch and a lot of creamy dressings. I love pasta and sometimes I make pasta salad with olive oil and lemon juice, but as smart as you are I thought maybe you had an idea of what I could use? Thanks!