Print

Chicken Club Pasta Salad

Chicken Club Pasta Salad
Print Recipe

This Chicken Club Pasta Salad is a fresh, flavorful, and satisfying dish that combines tender grilled chicken, crispy bacon, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy romaine lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, and a creamy tangy dressing, all tossed with perfectly cooked short pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a versatile, protein-packed salad perfect as a main meal, side dish, or for gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 2 cups cooked rotini, penne, or your favorite short pasta

Protein

  • 2 grilled chicken breasts, cooked and sliced
  • 6 slices cooked bacon, crisp and chopped

Vegetables & Cheese

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Dressing

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it before adding to the salad.
  2. Prepare the chicken and bacon: Grill chicken breasts until fully cooked and nicely charred; let them rest before slicing. Cook bacon in a skillet until crisp and then crumble or chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Chop the veggies: Halve the cherry tomatoes and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Shred the cheddar cheese if not pre-shredded.
  4. Make the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
  5. Combine everything: In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta, sliced chicken, bacon pieces, tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese with the dressing until evenly coated.
  6. Chill and serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled and enjoy.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for better dressing absorption and flavor melding.
  • Don’t overcook pasta; slightly firm pasta prevents mushiness.
  • Prep ahead by grilling chicken and cooking pasta in advance to save time.
  • Adjust mayonnaise and sour cream to customize dressing creaminess.
  • Add fresh herbs like parsley or chives to brighten the flavor.
  • Salad stays fresh for up to 3 days refrigerated; best within 2 days.
  • Not ideal for freezing because lettuce and dressing may become soggy after thawing.
  • Reheat chicken and pasta separately for a warm version before combining with fresh veggies and dressing.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken club pasta salad, grilled chicken pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, quick pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, backyard barbecue salad

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