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Chicken Club Pasta Salad

Chicken Club Pasta Salad
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Chicken Club Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and pasta with a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing. Perfect for summer meals, easy gatherings, or meal prep, this salad balances creamy, crunchy, tender, and fresh textures for a satisfying and flavorful bite every time.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Pasta

  • 2 cups cooked chicken (grilled or rotisserie), sliced or shredded
  • 3 cups cooked pasta (rotini, bow tie, or fusilli), cooled
  • 6 slices crispy bacon, drained

Vegetables and Cheese

  • 2 cups fresh lettuce or romaine, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, diced
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded

Dressing and Seasonings

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Optional Add-ins

  • Avocado, diced
  • Hot sauce or red pepper flakes
  • Chickpeas or grilled tofu (for vegetarian option)
  • Greek yogurt (to replace mayonnaise for lighter dressing)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta and Chicken: Start by boiling your pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool. If using raw chicken breasts, season and cook them thoroughly either by grilling or pan-searing, then slice or shred into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Prepare the Ingredients: Crisp the bacon until golden and set it aside to drain excess fat. While the bacon cools, chop fresh lettuce, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice red onion, and cut the cheddar cheese into small cubes or shred it.
  3. Make the Dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise with a bit of lemon juice or vinegar for tang, then season with salt, pepper, and a hint of garlic powder. This creamy dressing will beautifully coat the pasta and vegetables.
  4. Combine Everything: In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta, chicken, bacon, vegetables, and cheese together. Pour over the dressing and stir gently until everything is evenly coated to ensure balanced flavor in every bite.
  5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the salad to cool, making it even more refreshing and delicious.

Notes

  • Use day-old pasta as it holds dressings better and prevents sogginess.
  • Don’t skip chilling; cooling enhances flavor absorption and texture.
  • Crisp up bacon last minute and add right before serving to maintain crunch.
  • Start with less dressing and add more as needed to avoid overpowering the salad.
  • Prep ingredients uniformly for consistent bite-sized pieces and balanced flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Club Pasta Salad, pasta salad, club sandwich salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad, chicken pasta salad, picnic salad, make-ahead salad

Find it online: https://homemademealz.com/chicken-club-pasta-salad/