April Showers Recipe: "Angela’s Southwest Delight Pasta Salad"

Today marks 38 days until I walk down the aisle to become Craig's wife in June! I am rounding out my "April Showers" recipes this week. I had so much fun at both of my April bridal showers and I look forward with great anticipation to my May bridal shower. This is my recipe for an easy, fun and tasty pasta salad that is perfect for serving at showers, church gatherings and other special occasions. I plan on serving this next month at another May shower, a baby shower I am co-hosting for my sister-in-law Jackie with her mother Cheryl. I love the texture of bow tie pasta and it is in a comparable price range to the usual macaroni. A few healthy ingredient substitutions make my take Southwest-inspired take on the usual pasta salad a light choice, as well.

“Angela’s Southwest Delight Pasta Salad”

2 cups chopped, cooked chicken

1 16 ounce package bow tie pasta

1/2 cup fat free sour cream

1/2 cup fat free ranch dressing

3 slices cooked turkey bacon, crumbled OR 1/4 cup bacon bits

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon parsley

In large saucepan, prepare pinwheel pasta according to direction on package. Drain pasta and rinse. Drain and place pasta back into pot. In separate mixing bowl, combine sour cream, ranch dressing, bacon, chili powder and parsley until well blended. Pour mixture over pasta and stir well. Mix in chicken. Transfer into serving bowl. Refrigerate one hour before serving. Serves 8-10. Enjoy!