Description
This Savory Chicken Club Pasta Salad is a perfect summer dish packed with vibrant flavors and textures. Featuring corkscrew pasta, tender rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, creamy avocado, and fresh vegetables, all tossed in a tangy Italian mayo dressing. It’s a delightful, easy-to-make salad that’s ideal for gatherings, picnics, or a refreshing meal any day.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz corkscrew-shaped pasta
Dressing
- 1/2 cup Italian-style salad dressing
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (low-fat or Greek yogurt can be substituted)
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken (or grilled chicken or turkey)
- 4 slices crispy cooked bacon (turkey bacon can be used or omitted)
- 1 cup cubed Muenster cheese (cheddar or mozzarella can be substituted)
- 1 cup chopped celery (bell peppers can be substituted)
- 1 cup chopped green bell pepper (mix colors or omit as preferred)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (grape or regular diced tomatoes work too)
- 1 avocado, diced (add just before serving to maintain freshness)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the corkscrew-shaped pasta in salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and then rinse under cold water to cool it quickly, preventing further cooking.
- Prepare the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the Italian-style salad dressing and mayonnaise until smooth and creamy, creating a flavorful base for your salad.
- Combine the ingredients: Gently fold in the cooled pasta, chopped rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, cubed cheese, chopped celery, chopped green bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and diced avocado into the dressing. Mix carefully until everything is well coated.
- Chill to meld flavors: Cover the salad with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to blend beautifully, enhancing the overall taste.
Notes
- You can swap the pasta shape for your favorite variety.
- Using low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt reduces calories and fat.
- Omit bacon or substitute with turkey bacon for a lighter version.
- Add avocado last to prevent browning.
- Mix bell pepper colors for a more vibrant salad.
- Chilling the salad improves the flavor but serve within 24 hours for best freshness.
