Got something special for you today – a mash-up of good old BLT sandwiches and pasta salad, with chicken thrown in for good measure. Trust me, it works like a charm.
Listen up – you'll want 12 ounces of rotini (cook it just until it's got a bit of bite left), 8 strips of bacon (fried nice and crispy, mind you), 2 cups of diced chicken, and about 1½ cups of those little cherry tomatoes cut in half. The dressing's a simple mix of buttermilk and mayo that pulls it all together.
Now, we all know BLT sandwiches are hard to beat, but this pasta version's got its own merits – especially when you're feeding a bunch or need something made ahead. Comes in mighty handy for potlucks and such.
What makes this work is how everything plays together – you've got the salty bacon, tender pasta, juicy tomatoes, and that chicken adding some real substance. Been making this for years, and it never fails to disappear right quick at family gatherings.
Just remember to give it a good stir before serving, and don't forget to cook that pasta properly – nobody wants mushy noodles in their salad. That's all there is to it, plain and simple.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Transform your favorite sandwich into a satisfying pasta dish with this BLT pasta salad with chicken. The classic combination of bacon, lettuce, and tomato has been a staple since its creation in American lunch counters during the 1920s, but this recipe takes those familiar flavors in a new direction.
The addition of tender chicken and pasta turns a simple sandwich into a complete meal that works equally well for casual summer gatherings or weekday lunches. The creamy dressing ties all the ingredients together while maintaining the essence of what makes a BLT so universally appealing.
Key Ingredients
This clever fusion dish combines two beloved classics – the BLT sandwich and pasta salad – into one satisfying meal. While the original BLT gained popularity in American diners during the 1920s, this modern interpretation incorporates tender pasta and diced chicken breast, transforming the sandwich staple into a portable, picnic-friendly dish.
The familiar combination of crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes works remarkably well in pasta salad form, with a creamy dressing that ties all the elements together.
Kitchen Tools Needed
This crowd-pleasing pasta salad transforms the classic BLT sandwich into a satisfying main course. While the original BLT gained popularity in American diners during the 1950s, this contemporary spin incorporates tender chicken and pasta, creating a portable dish perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings.
The familiar combination of crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes pairs naturally with cool, creamy pasta, proving that beloved sandwich fillings can successfully migrate to other formats. This recipe brings together the best of both comfort foods – the nostalgia of a diner sandwich and the practicality of a make-ahead pasta salad.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Combining two beloved classics – the BLT sandwich and pasta salad – creates a satisfying meal that works equally well for lunch or dinner. This dish emerged in American households during the 1960s when pasta salads gained popularity as convenient make-ahead options for picnics and potlucks.
The addition of chicken transforms the traditional BLT components into a protein-rich main course, while crisp bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes maintain the sandwich's signature flavors.
The creamy dressing binds these familiar ingredients together, coating the pasta and creating a crowd-pleasing dish that travels well and tastes even better the next day.
Make Ahead Options
This clever mashup transforms the classic BLT sandwich into a satisfying pasta salad that's perfect for warm weather dining.
The original BLT gained popularity in American diners during the 1950s, but this modern interpretation adds tender chicken and pasta to create a complete meal.
What started as a quick experiment in combining two favorite dishes – the traditional bacon-lettuce-tomato sandwich and a basic pasta salad – has become a reliable crowd-pleaser at potlucks and picnics.
The familiar flavors work seamlessly together, with the creamy dressing coating each bite of pasta just as mayonnaise would traditionally complement the sandwich version.
Storage and Leftovers
This clever twist on the classic BLT sandwich transforms the beloved combination into a satisfying pasta salad. Born in diners and lunch counters across America, the original BLT gained popularity in the 1950s when lettuce and tomatoes became readily available year-round.
By adding tender chicken and pasta to the mix, this recipe creates a complete meal that maintains all the familiar flavors of crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and fresh lettuce while introducing new textures and possibilities for entertaining.
The dish has become a popular choice for summer potlucks and picnics, offering a familiar yet innovative take on two American classics.
Serving Suggestions
Summertime potlucks and picnics call for creative spins on classic favorites.
This BLT pasta salad transforms the beloved sandwich combination into a satisfying main dish by adding tender chicken and pasta to the traditional bacon, lettuce, and tomato mixture.
While the original BLT sandwich gained popularity in American diners during the 1950s, this pasta salad version emerged decades later as home cooks began experimenting with pasta salad variations in the 1980s.
The dish combines the smoky crunch of bacon, fresh vegetables, and creamy dressing into a portable, make-ahead meal that's perfect for warm weather gatherings.
Recipe Variations
Transform the classic BLT sandwich into a hearty pasta salad that's perfect for summer gatherings and picnics. This dish combines the beloved flavors of crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and ripe tomatoes with tender pasta and chicken, creating a satisfying main course.
The concept emerged during the mid-20th century when American home cooks began experimenting with pasta salads as a way to stretch ingredients and create filling dishes that could be served cold.
While the traditional BLT gained popularity in American diners after World War II, this pasta variation offers a modern twist that maintains all the signature elements of the sandwich while adding new textures and possibilities for customization.
Nutritional Benefits
The classic BLT sandwich steps into pasta salad territory in this hearty, meal-worthy dish. Back in the 1960s, when pasta salads first gained popularity in American cuisine, home cooks began experimenting with familiar sandwich ingredients in new formats.
This BLT pasta salad builds on that tradition, incorporating the beloved combination of bacon, lettuce, and tomato while adding chicken and pasta for a more substantial meal. The recipe transforms a quick lunch staple into a satisfying dish that works equally well for summer picnics, potlucks, or weeknight dinners.
This crowd-pleasing pasta salad transforms the classic BLT sandwich into a substantial make-ahead meal. By combining familiar sandwich elements – crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes – with tender pasta and diced chicken, the dish delivers all the satisfaction of the beloved sandwich in a picnic-ready format.
The addition of a creamy dressing ties the ingredients together, while maintaining the essence of what makes a BLT so popular. First created in American diners as a clever way to serve the sandwich flavors in warm-weather gatherings, this pasta salad variation has become a staple at potlucks and summer parties.
Recipe
BLT Pasta Salad with Chicken transforms the classic sandwich into a hearty pasta dish that's perfect for picnics, potlucks, or summer gatherings. The combination of crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, fresh lettuce, and tender chicken creates a satisfying meal that captures all the beloved flavors of a traditional BLT.
This versatile dish can be served warm or cold, making it an excellent make-ahead option for busy weekdays or casual entertaining. The creamy mayo-based dressing brings all the components together, while the pasta provides a substantial base that makes the salad filling enough to serve as a main course.
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water. While pasta cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add cooled pasta, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, and half the lettuce to the bowl with dressing. Toss everything together until well combined.
Just before serving, fold in remaining lettuce and garnish with parsley.
For best results, chill the pasta completely before mixing with other ingredients to prevent the lettuce from wilting. If preparing in advance, consider adding the lettuce just before serving to maintain its crispness. The dressing can be adjusted for consistency by adding a splash of pasta cooking water or extra mayonnaise as needed. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion
Nothing beats turning those sandwich favorites into a big bowl of pasta goodness. Take your rotini – cook it just right so it's got a bit of bite to it – and toss in chunks of chicken breast about the size of your thumb. Now, the bacon needs to be good and crispy (none of that floppy stuff), crumbled up into nice pieces. Those little cherry tomatoes, just split them in half – they burst with flavor in every bite. For the romaine, tear it up fresh – don't bother chopping, just rip it into pieces like we used to do back in the day. Mix it all together and you've got yourself a proper meal that comes together in about half an hour. Simple as that – no fancy business needed. You'll find yourself making this one when you want something that sticks to your ribs but doesn't weigh you down.