Fried Chicken Pasta Salad
Imagine juicy, golden-brown pieces of fried chicken combined with al dente pasta, all tossed together in a harmonious blend of flavors. This salad is a medley of textures and tastes that dance on your palate, creating a symphony of satisfaction
Servings 6 -8 servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb mafalda corta pasta or any pasta shape of your choice
- 2 cups of fried chicken tenders
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup iceburg lettuce chopped
- 1/2 cup crispy turkey bacon
- 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese cubed
- 1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese cubed
- 1/4 cup red onion diced
- 1/4 cup banana peppers
- Tangy buttermilk dressing of choice like avocado ranch or buttermilk ranch
For homemade fried chicken tenders
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- 1 tsp blackening seasoning or cajun seasoning
- Kosher salt to taste
- 1/3 cup of flour to lightly coat chicken
- Vegetable Oil for frying enough to coat the bottom of the skillet
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions for al dente, drain, set aside and cool
- You can use pre-cooked fried chicken tenders to make this dish super fast or you can make them from scratch by seasoning 1 lb of chicken tenderloins with cajun or blackening seasoning of choice and kosher salt. Lightly coat in flour and pan fry until golden. Cool the tenders then chop and set aside for later
- To assemble, in a large bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, turkey bacon, cheese, onion, peppers, lettuce and chicken. Top with dressing and lightly toss to combine
- Set pasta salad in the fridge overnight to be served the next day, cold