Description
This Savory Chicken Club Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for summer gatherings. Combining corkscrew-shaped pasta, tender rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and creamy dressing, it delivers a well-balanced and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and serve chilled.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Dressing
- 8 oz corkscrew-shaped pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)
- 1/2 cup Italian-style salad dressing (homemade recommended)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (low-fat mayo or Greek yogurt can be used for a lighter option)
Protein
- 2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken (grilled chicken or turkey also works)
- 4 slices crispy cooked bacon (turkey bacon or omit if desired)
- 1 cup cubed Muenster cheese (cheddar or mozzarella can be substituted)
Vegetables and Fruits
- 1 cup chopped celery (bell peppers can be a substitute)
- 1 cup chopped green bell pepper (use mixed colors or omit as preferred)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (grape or diced regular tomatoes can be used)
- 1 avocado (add just before serving to maintain freshness)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the corkscrew-shaped pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse thoroughly under cold water to cool the pasta quickly and stop the cooking process.
- Prepare the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the Italian-style salad dressing and mayonnaise until the mixture is smooth and creamy to form the base for the salad.
- Combine ingredients: Gently fold in the cooled pasta, chopped rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, cubed Muenster cheese, chopped celery, green bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and diced avocado into the dressing. Mix carefully until everything is well coated without mashing the avocado.
- Chill and serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to blend beautifully, making the salad more delicious and refreshing when served.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or low-fat mayonnaise.
- If you prefer, omit bacon or swap it with turkey bacon for a healthier option.
- Add avocado just before serving to prevent browning and maintain freshness.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables according to what you have on hand or your taste preferences.
- This salad keeps well for up to 2 days refrigerated, but best eaten fresh due to avocado.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
