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SUMMER SALAD - Chicken and Corn Pasta Salad with Bacon, Bell Peppers, and Creamy Pesto Dressing

A refreshing and hearty summer salad featuring tender chicken, sweet corn, crispy bacon, vibrant bell peppers, and a creamy pesto dressing, perfect for warm weather gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Salad Base
  • 8 oz pasta (fusilli or rotini) cooked and drained
  • 1 cup cooked chicken breast diced
  • 1 cup sweet corn canned or frozen
  • 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup bell peppers diced (mixed colors)
  • 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
Creamy Pesto Dressing
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup pesto sauce
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/4 tsp salt to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper to taste

Method
 

Prepare the Pasta and Ingredients
  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced chicken, sweet corn, crumbled bacon, diced bell peppers, and chopped red onion.
Make the Dressing
  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, pesto sauce, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Combine and Serve
  1. Pour the creamy pesto dressing over the pasta salad mixture and toss gently to combine.
  2. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
  3. Serve cold and enjoy your refreshing summer salad!

Notes

Feel free to add other vegetables or proteins as desired. This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.