Description
This Savory Chicken Club Pasta Salad is your perfect summer flavor fix, combining tender rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and creamy dressing with corkscrew pasta for a delightful and refreshing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz Corkscrew-shaped Pasta
Dressing
- 1/2 cup Italian-style Salad Dressing
- 1/4 cup Mayonnaise (low-fat mayo or Greek yogurt can be used)
Protein & Cheese
- 2 cups Chopped Rotisserie Chicken (or grilled chicken or turkey)
- 4 slices Crispy Cooked Bacon (turkey bacon or omit if desired)
- 1 cup Cubed Muenster Cheese (cheddar or mozzarella can be substituted)
Vegetables & Fruit
- 1 cup Chopped Celery (bell peppers can be swapped)
- 1 cup Chopped Green Bell Pepper (mix colors for variety or omit)
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (grape or diced regular tomatoes can be used)
- 1 Avocado (added just before serving)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the corkscrew-shaped pasta in salted water until it is al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it 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, forming the base of your salad dressing.
- Combine the Ingredients: Gently fold the cooled pasta into the dressing, followed by the chopped rotisserie chicken, crispy cooked bacon, cubed muenster cheese, chopped celery, green bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and avocado. Mix everything carefully to ensure all components are well coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, enhancing the overall taste and texture of the salad.
Notes
- You can substitute the corkscrew pasta for any other pasta shape you prefer.
- For a lighter option, use low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt in the dressing.
- Turkey bacon can be used instead of regular bacon, or omit bacon entirely for a different flavor profile.
- Cheese variety can be adjusted according to preference, such as using cheddar or mozzarella instead of muenster.
- Feel free to swap celery with bell peppers or leave out any veggies to suit your taste.
- Add avocado just before serving to prevent browning and keep it fresh.
