Warm Chicken and Bacon Pasta Salad

By: Deborah

This warm chicken and bacon pasta salad recipe combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a light mustard dressing for a satisfying and flavourful meal. Perfect for any season!

PREP: 15

COOK: 15

TOTAL: 30

Course: Main

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 4 people

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Equipment

Ingredients

300 g (10.6 oz) short pasta (eg: conchiglie, orecchiette, fusilli, farfalle or penne)
100 g (3.5 oz) green beans sliced into thirds (see Notes)
2 tbsp olive oil
6 rashers smoked back bacon (or 12 rashers smoked streaky bacon) sliced
2 skinless chicken breasts (approx. 500g) sliced
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp chives roughly chopped

For the dressing:

1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp maple syrup

Instructions

In a large pan of salted water, cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. 4 minutes before the end of cooking time add the green beans (see Notes). Drain and then return to the pan, stir through 1 tbsp of the olive oil, cover and set aside to keep warm.
Meanwhile, while the pasta is cooking, in a large frying pan heat the remaining olive oil over a high heat, add the bacon and cook until crispy (around 5 minutes), remove from the pan and set aside. Add the sliced chicken to the same pan, season with some freshly ground black pepper, and fry until lightly browned and completely cooked through (around 6 to 8 minutes). Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a jug or small bowl.
Add the cooked pasta and beans, bacon and chives to the chicken, stir to combine. Pour the dressing over the pasta and gently mix, making sure everything is thoroughly coated, season to taste, and serve.
Enjoy with some crusty bread!

Notes

- If you’re not a fan of green beans, try another green veg, eg: broccoli, tenderstem broccoli or asparagus – adjust cooking time to 3 minutes.

- Gluten-free option - use gluten-free pasta.

- Extra vegetables - try adding roasted cherry tomatoes, diced peppers or spinach for extra nutrients.

- Cheese toppings - try topping with crumbled feta, shaved parmesan or goat cheese for a flavour boost.

- This warm chicken and bacon pasta salad recipe is easily adapted if you’re cooking for less or more people.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

KEYWORDS chicken and bacon pasta salad recipe, wholegrain mustard dressing recipe

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