Chicken Club Pasta Salad
Chicken Club Pasta Salad is a hearty and fresh dish combining perfectly cooked pasta, grilled chicken, crispy bacon, ripe tomatoes, and crunchy romaine lettuce, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing. Ideal for quick lunches, satisfying dinners, or meal prep, this salad balances convenience and flavor with familiar club sandwich tastes in a colorful, easy-to-make meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling, Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free pasta)
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced into bite-sized strips
- 4 slices bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
- 1 cup ripe tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped or torn
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded (optional)
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta for the salad.
- Prepare the Chicken and Bacon: Grill or pan-sear the chicken breasts until cooked through and juicy, then slice into bite-sized strips. Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy, then chop into small pieces.
- Chop the Vegetables and Cheese: Dice ripe tomatoes and tear or chop the romaine lettuce into manageable pieces. Cube or shred the cheddar cheese if using.
- Make the Dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Combine Everything: In a large bowl, toss the pasta, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese with the dressing. Make sure everything is evenly coated and gently stir to keep textures intact.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill nicely.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness when tossed with dressing.
- Use warm chicken when combining to lock in juiciness.
- Chill salad before serving to enhance flavor blending and refresh the dish.
- Add dressing gradually to avoid overdressing the salad.
- Add crispy bacon last minute to keep crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: chicken club pasta salad, pasta salad, grilled chicken salad, bacon pasta salad, easy lunch, meal prep salad, creamy dressing
Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/chicken-club-pasta-salad/
