Chicken BLT Pasta Salad

I only have one picture for you ~ and it is the bowl of this amazing dinner assembled. This has been a good go to dinner for nights that we are busy with football practice, theater tryouts, working, etc. It is best made ahead, and eaten cold ~ though you can eat it when the chicken is warm.

Ingredients
1 to 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs (or breast if you wish)
1 envelope of Zesty Italian seasoning
1 box of Suddenly Salad ~ Pasta Salad in Classic flavor (and ingredients called for on back)
Chopped bacon (I used package bacon pieces by Oscar Meyer found with the bacon bits)
Chopped lettuce
Chopped tomato
Cubed 8 oz package of Colby Jack Cheese
Chopped red onion (1/2 )
Splash of Zesty Italian Dressing

In a 375* oven, bake chicken that has been sprinkled with Italian seasoning for about 20 to 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and browned on top. (Layer the seasoning on ~using the whole packet of seasoning for your chicken.) While that is baking cook pasta salad. When pasta is cooked, rinse in cold water until you are able to handle without it burning your skin. Prepare pasta salad as directed on back of package. (Use large bowl to prepare it in.) Chop Chicken and add to pasta salad. Add bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese and red onion. Add dressing to give a bit more moisture ~ but not soaking the ingredients. (Usually not more then 1/4 cup is needed.) Mix well and allow to sit for a bit of time to marinate all the flavors together!

I often serve this with croutons on top, or a crusty garlic bread on the side. This is BEST when it has had time to set ~ and even better for lunch leftovers the next day!