Coming up with easy dinner ideas during busy weeknights can feel like a real puzzle, especially when you’re trying to please both kids and adults at the same time. Between after-school activities, work deadlines, and the usual evening rush, the last thing anyone wants is to spend hours in the kitchen preparing a complicated meal.

That’s why this BLT Chicken Pasta Salad has become such a favorite in our house – it combines the classic flavors everyone loves from a BLT sandwich with filling pasta and protein-packed chicken. Plus, you can make it ahead of time and it actually tastes better after the flavors have had a chance to come together in the fridge.

Why You’ll Love This BLT Chicken Pasta Salad

Quick meal prep – Ready in just 30 minutes, this pasta salad is perfect for busy weeknight dinners or meal prep for the week ahead.
High-protein option – With chickpea pasta, chicken, and turkey bacon, this salad packs a protein punch while keeping things lighter than traditional pasta salads.
Meal-prep friendly – Make it once and enjoy it for several days – it’s great for packed lunches and stays fresh in the fridge.
Customizable recipe – You can easily swap ingredients based on what you have – use regular pasta, add more veggies, or switch up the protein to make it your own.
Classic flavor combination – It takes the beloved BLT sandwich ingredients and turns them into a satisfying pasta salad that everyone will recognize and enjoy.

What Kind of Pasta Should I Use?

For this BLT pasta salad, you’ve got several great options when it comes to choosing your pasta. While the recipe calls for chickpea rotini, you can easily swap in regular rotini, penne, or bow ties – any short pasta shape that has ridges or curves will hold the dressing well. If you’re watching your carbs or looking for extra protein, stick with the chickpea pasta or try other alternatives like lentil or edamame pasta. Regular whole wheat pasta works great too, giving you more fiber than traditional white pasta. Just remember to cook your pasta al dente (with a slight firmness) since it will continue to soften as it sits in the dressing.

Options for Substitutions

This BLT pasta salad is super adaptable and you can make several swaps based on what you have in your kitchen:

Lettuce: Any crispy lettuce works here! Try romaine, iceberg, or even spring mix. Just avoid softer lettuces like butter lettuce as they can get too wilted.
Turkey bacon: Regular bacon works perfectly fine, or try turkey bacon bits in a pinch. For a vegetarian option, you could use smoky tempeh strips or coconut bacon.
Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver, or you can use canned chicken, leftover grilled chicken, or even tuna. For a vegetarian version, try chickpeas or diced firm tofu.
Chickpea rotini: Any short pasta shape works well – try regular rotini, penne, or bow ties. You can use regular, whole wheat, or other legume-based pastas too.
Ranch dressing: Not a ranch fan? Try using Greek yogurt-based ranch, Caesar dressing, or make a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing. Just start with less and add more to taste.
Tomatoes: Any tomato variety works here – grape tomatoes, regular tomatoes, or even sun-dried tomatoes (use about 1/2 cup chopped if using sun-dried).

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making BLT chicken pasta salad is overcooking the pasta – since we’re using chickpea or whole wheat pasta, cook it just until al dente (about 1-2 minutes less than package directions) as it will continue to absorb the dressing once mixed.

Another common error is adding the lettuce too early, which can make it wilted and soggy – instead, toss the lettuce in just before serving to maintain its crunch, and consider preparing extra to refresh leftovers the next day.

To keep your salad from becoming dry, store the dressing separately if making ahead, and remember to let your chicken and pasta cool completely before mixing (warm ingredients will make the lettuce wilt and the tomatoes release excess moisture).

For the best flavor, season your chicken well while cooking and consider cooking the bacon until extra crispy, as it will soften slightly when mixed with the dressing – and don’t forget to taste and adjust salt and pepper before serving since cold dishes often need more seasoning than hot ones.

What to Serve With BLT Chicken Pasta Salad?

This hearty pasta salad is practically a meal on its own, but there are some simple sides that can round out your plate nicely. A warm piece of crusty garlic bread or some toasted sourdough makes a great addition, perfect for soaking up any extra ranch dressing at the bottom of your bowl. For something lighter, try serving it with fresh fruit like watermelon slices or a mix of seasonal berries – the sweetness creates a nice balance with the savory pasta salad. If you’re bringing this to a picnic or cookout, it pairs really well with classic BBQ sides like corn on the cob or grilled vegetables.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This BLT chicken pasta salad tastes best when eaten within 2 days. Place it in an airtight container in the fridge, but here’s a pro tip – keep the lettuce separate and add it just before serving to prevent it from getting wilted. The pasta mixture on its own will stay good for up to 4 days.

Make Ahead: Want to prep this in advance? Cook the pasta, chicken, and bacon up to 2 days ahead and store them separately in the fridge. Chop your tomatoes and lettuce the day you plan to serve. When you’re ready to eat, just toss everything together with the ranch dressing for the freshest taste!

Pack for Lunch: This makes a great lunch box meal! Layer the ingredients in a container with the dressing at the bottom, followed by chicken, pasta, bacon, tomatoes, and keep the lettuce in a separate container or bag. Mix it all together when you’re ready to eat.

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	15-20 minutes
Total Time	30-40 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

Calories: 1200-1400
Protein: 80-90 g
Fat: 70-80 g
Carbohydrates: 80-90 g

Ingredients

1/2 head fresh lettuce, chopped
2-3 roma tomatoes, diced (or 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved)
4 slices turkey bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
1 pack (8.8 ounces) of barilla chickpea rotini pasta (or substitute with whole wheat pasta)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup (approximately half a bottle) of primal kitchen ranch dressing (use according to preference)

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Begin by thoroughly washing your lettuce and tomatoes.

After washing, chop, dice, or halve your vegetables according to the desired size as outlined in your ingredients list.

This will ensure your veggies are fresh and ready for the salad.

Step 2: Cook and Prepare the Turkey Bacon

Cook your turkey bacon according to the instructions on the packaging.

Be sure to cook it until it becomes extremely crispy, which makes it easier to crumble or chop, adding a delightful crunch to your salad.

Step 3: Prepare the Chicken

Chop some freshly cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Alternatively, you can use store-bought pre-cooked chicken and chop it accordingly.

This step provides the protein component for your salad.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

Cook your whole wheat or chickpea pasta according to the instructions on the packaging.

Once cooked, allow the pasta to cool down completely before adding it to the salad.

This prevents the salad from becoming warm and wilting the vegetables.

Step 5: Assemble the Salad

In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, diced or halved Roma or cherry tomatoes, crumbled turkey bacon, cooked and chopped chicken, and room-temperature whole wheat or rotini pasta.

Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preference.