Chicken Pasta Salad (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Protein & Pasta

01 - One and a half pounds of diced chicken breasts or tenders
02 - Eight slices of bacon, chopped
03 - A pound of bite-sized pasta like rotini or fusilli

→ Vegetables & Toppings

04 - Twelve ounces of romaine, roughly cut up
05 - Half a cup of freshly grated parmesan, with extra for garnish
06 - Half a cup of partially crushed, buttery garlic croutons

→ Seasonings & Dressings

07 - Two tablespoons of poultry seasoning, like cajun or lemon pepper
08 - One teaspoon of Salad Supreme seasoning (e.g., Perfect Pinch)
09 - Half a cup of creamy caesar dressing
10 - One-third cup of ranch dressing
11 - Two tablespoons of olive oil

→ Optional Homemade Caesar Dressing

12 - One cup of mayo
13 - One tablespoon of spicy dijon mustard
14 - One teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
15 - Three small garlic cloves, diced fine
16 - Two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
17 - Three-quarters of a cup of freshly shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano
18 - A quarter teaspoon of salt
19 - Half a teaspoon of ground black pepper

# Instructions:

01 - Generously coat all sides of your chicken pieces with your favorite seasoning, such as cajun or lemon pepper.
02 - In a pan over lower-medium heat, fry the bacon chunks until they’re crispy. Move them to a plate with paper towels and get rid of most of the grease in the pan.
03 - Heat the skillet with a splash of olive oil, cooking the chicken pieces for about 3-4 minutes on each side until their inside reaches 165°F.
04 - Boil the pasta in salty water following the cooking time on the package until tender but still firm to bite. Drain it and rinse under cold water to cool it down.
05 - Take a large mixing bowl and combine the chilled pasta, chicken pieces, bits of bacon, shredded parmesan, salad seasoning, and the dressings. Stir it all well.
06 - Before you plate it up, mix in the romaine and croutons. Sprinkle a bit more parmesan and seasoning on top for extra flavor.

# Notes:

01 - Wait until you’re ready to eat before adding romaine and croutons to avoid everything getting limp or soggy.
02 - Makes tasty, simple lunches for meal prepping!
03 - You can use pre-made dressings or go the homemade route.

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