BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 1 pound pasta (gluten-free for gluten-free)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 4 ounces bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces (optional)
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup corn
• 1 cup black beans
• 1/2 cup red onion, diced
• 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped (optional)
• 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta as directed on the package, drain, mix with olive oil and let cool, mixing every 5 minutes. (The oil and mixing helps prevent it from sticking together while it cools.)
2. Meanwhile cook the bacon until crispy and set aside on paper towels to drain.
3. Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste, and grill (or pan fry), over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 3-5 minutes per side, before setting aside to cool, and slicing into bite sized pieces.
4. Assemble salad with the pasta, bacon, chicken, bell pepper, corn, beans, and onion.
5. Mix the BBQ sauce and mayo to make the dressing.
6. Toss the salad and dressing along with the cilantro and green onions and enjoy!