Description
Chicken Club Pasta Salad is a delightful twist on the classic club sandwich, transformed into a satisfying pasta salad perfect for any occasion. This dish combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and creamy dressing, all tossed together with al dente pasta.
Ingredients
- rotini or penne pasta
- cooked and diced chicken breast
- crispy bacon
- romaine or iceberg lettuce
- cherry or grape tomatoes
- shredded cheddar cheese
- creamy ranch dressing or simple vinaigrette
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add your pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- If using raw chicken, grill or bake it seasoned with salt and pepper until fully cooked. Allow it to cool, then dice it into bite-sized pieces. If you’re using rotisserie chicken, simply shred it into pieces.
- In a skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and place on paper towels to absorb the excess fat. Once cooled, crumble it into bits.
- While the pasta is cooking, chop your lettuce, tomatoes, and any other vegetables you’re adding into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Toss them gently to combine.
- Drizzle your chosen dressing over the pasta salad. Start with a little and add more if needed. Toss everything together until well coated. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- For the best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: This salad is perfect for meal prep! You can make it a day in advance. Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve to maintain the crispiness of the lettuce. Feel free to mix in other ingredients like avocado, bell peppers, or even olives for additional flavor and texture.