Balsamic Chicken Pasta Salad

I love all the colors and flavors of this quick and easy dish and serve it often in summer, to the delight of my guests! You can't beat the combination of Gorgonzola and bacon. Leftover grilled shrimp makes a tasty substitute for chicken.

Balsamic Chicken Pasta Salad

Average Rating: 4.365853

TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 25 min.
YIELD: 8 servings.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups uncooked bow tie pasta
  • 4 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
  • 2 cups chopped tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 4 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/4 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • 1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water; transfer to a large bowl. Add the chicken, tomatoes, onion, bacon and Gorgonzola cheese.
  • 2. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, basil, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, salt and pepper. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/3 cup: 408 calories, 20g fat (5g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 323mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein.