This Chicken Pasta Salad filled with tender pasta, bacon, avocado, juicy tomatoes, cheese, onion, and bell pepper. The perfect cold pasta salad recipe for summer potlucks on a hot summer day!

chicken pasta salad

I may earn commissions for purchases made through links on this post.

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD RECIPE

This fresh pasta salad is a crowd pleaser with veggies and chicken all in a creamy sauce!

Chicken Pasta Salad ingredients

INGREDIENTS

  • PASTA – You can use any cooked pasta but any short pasta works well. Rotini pasta, penne, or bowtie pasta are great.
  • TOMATOES – I like to use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes.
  • GREEN BELL PEPPER – Of course red bell pepper or any color can be used.
  • CHICKEN – You can use leftover rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, grilled chicken or cook some seasoned chicken breasts in a pan.
  • CHEESE – I use cheddar cheese but a sharp cheese like Swiss, Provolone, or a sharp cheddar would be great.
  • CRISPY BACON 
  • CELERY
  • RED ONION – You could use green onions for a milder onion taste.
  • AVOCADO
  • DRESSING  – ​The simple dressing is made from Italian dressing and mayonnaise.

Chicken Pasta Salad

MAKE AHEAD TIPS

If making this ahead of time store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Add the avocado and the bacon right before serving!

Chicken Pasta Salad

Instructions

  1. In a large pot of salted water, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and cool.
  2. Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl. Mix the dressing in a small bowl and add to bowl. Toss to coat. Note: IF making ahead of time, don’t add the avocado or bacon until right before serving.

Chicken Pasta Salad

OTHER SALAD RECIPES:

Chicken Pasta Salad

Chicken Pasta Salad

No ratings yet
This Chicken Pasta Salad filled with pasta, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, cheese, onion, and bell pepper.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces short pasta
  • 2 cups cooked and diced chicken, (rotisserie works here)
  • 12 ounces bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup diced green bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 1 avocado, peeled and diced

DRESSING:

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot of salted water, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and cool.
  • Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl. Mix the dressing in a small bowl and add to bowl. Toss to coat. Note: IF making ahead of time, don't add the avocado or bacon until right before serving.
Cuisine: American, Italian
Course: All Recipes, Side Dish
chicken pasta salad
author avatar
Christy Denney
Christy is the voice behind The Girl Who Who Ate Everything! She is no stranger to making meals that kids and adults will love. She grew up in Mesa, Arizona as the youngest of ten kids. She can always be found in her kitchen with music playing and cooking with her kids. She published her first cookbook in 2014. She loves party food that gets the conversations going!