If you’re searching for a delightful twist on a classic, our Chicken Club Pasta Salad promises to be a hit. It combines everything you love about a club sandwich but transforms it into a refreshing, hearty salad that’s perfect for any occasion!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless and Quick: This recipe can be whipped up in just twenty minutes, making it a perfect choice for busy weeknights.
A Flavor Explosion: The combination of creamy Ranch with crunchy veggies and savory bacon creates a taste sensation.
Versatile: Perfect as a main dish or a side at any barbecue or picnic.
Friendly to Leftovers: It tastes even better the next day, making it excellent for meal prepping!

Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These simple, fresh ingredients come together to craft a dish that is both vibrant in flavor and color. Each component plays a key role, ensuring every bite of your Chicken Club Pasta Salad is irresistible.

Pasta (8 ounces): Use your favorite type, whether it’s rotini, shells, or penne, to hold the dressing beautifully.
Bacon (12 slices): Cooked to crispy perfection, it adds a smoky and salty crunch.
Cooked Chicken (2 cups): Use leftover or rotisserie chicken for convenience, adding protein and sustenance.
Cherry Tomatoes (1 cup): Halved to spread bursts of freshness throughout the salad.
Cheddar Cheese (1 cup): Cubed into half-inch pieces, it contributes a rich and creamy element.
Celery (2 stalks): Chopped for its refreshing crunch.
Green Bell Pepper (1 medium): Chopped to add a slight sweetness and additional crisp texture.
Ranch Dressing (1 cup): The creamy binder that marries all the ingredients together.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

This Chicken Club Pasta Salad is incredibly adaptable, allowing you to easily switch up ingredients based on what you have on hand or dietary preferences. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Gluten-Free Option: Simply substitute for gluten-free pasta to cater to dietary needs.
Vegetarian Twist: Omit the chicken and bacon, adding in crispy tofu or extra veggies such as cucumbers or shredded carrots.
Spicy Kick: Toss in a diced jalapeño or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for a hint of heat.

How to Make Chicken Club Pasta Salad

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta of choice and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until al dente. Make sure to taste-test for doneness—remember, you want a slight bite to it. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to halt any further cooking.

Step 2: Assemble the Salad

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with cooked and crumbled bacon, chopped chicken, cherry tomatoes, cheddar cheese cubes, chopped celery, and bell pepper. Drizzle the Ranch dressing over the top and toss everything together gently until each piece is gloriously coated.

Pro Tips for Making Chicken Club Pasta Salad

Al Dente Always: Cooking the pasta until just al dente ensures it holds its shape and texture when combined with the other ingredients.
Bacon Crispiness: Make sure your bacon is cooked until it’s irresistibly crispy, adding a satisfying crunch to each bite.
Dress Before Serving: Mix in the Ranch dressing just before serving to keep everything fresh and vibrant.
Season Carefully: Taste before adding extra salt, as the ingredients already provide a good balance of seasoning.

How to Serve Chicken Club Pasta Salad

Garnishes

Add some freshly chopped parsley or a sprinkling of sliced green onions for a burst of color and an extra layer of fresh flavor. These garnishes not only enhance aesthetics but also elevate the taste.

Side Dishes

This salad serves wonderfully with a side of crusty bread or a light soup. Try pairing it with a classic tomato soup or a simple toasted baguette to complement the flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the Chicken Club Pasta Salad in hollowed-out bell peppers for a stunning presentation or in individual mason jars for a fun picnic treat. These options provide originality and ease of serving.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. This salad develops its flavors over time, often tasting even better the next day.

Freezing

While this dish isn’t ideal for freezing due to the fresh vegetables and creamy dressing, it’s not a concern since it makes for an excellent make-ahead meal or lunch option!

Reheating

To enjoy this salad chilled as intended, simply give it a good stir and serve straight from the fridge. There’s no need to reheat, maintaining its refreshing character.

FAQs

Can I use a different dressing?

Absolutely! While Ranch is classic, feel free to mix things up with a Caesar or a creamy Italian dressing for a new twist.
What can I substitute the chicken with?

If you don’t have chicken on hand, turkey or even roasted tofu can be a wonderful alternative, maintaining the protein and satisfying bite.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

Simply omit the chicken and bacon, and perhaps add more veggies or plant-based proteins to make it vegetarian-friendly.
Do I need to rinse the pasta?

Yes, rinsing the pasta with cold water stops it from cooking further and helps it cool down quickly, which is crucial for a cold pasta salad.

Final Thoughts

Our Chicken Club Pasta Salad is more than just a meal; it’s a ticket to a realm of familiar, comforting flavors and blissful convenience. I can’t wait for you to try it and revel in its easy preparation and delectable taste!

Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 85 reviews

Author: Jessica
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

A delicious and hearty Chicken Club Pasta Salad combining tender pasta, crispy bacon, juicy chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy ranch dressing. Perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or a quick weeknight dinner, this salad is both satisfying and easy to prepare in advance.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Dry Ingredients

8 ounces pasta uncooked, such as rigatoni, shells, rotini, penne

Protein and Dairy

12 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
2 cups cooked and chopped chicken
1 cup cheddar cheese cut in 1/2-inch cubes

Vegetables

1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
2 stalks celery chopped
1 medium green bell pepper chopped

Condiments

1 cup Ranch dressing

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process.
Prepare the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked and cooled pasta. Then, add the crumbled bacon, chopped chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, cubed cheddar cheese, chopped celery, and chopped green bell pepper.
Add Dressing and Toss: Pour the ranch dressing over the ingredients in the bowl. Toss everything well until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to let flavors meld. Toss again before serving if needed.

Notes

Salt your pasta water generously—think salty like the sea—to add flavor to the noodles.
Avoid overcooking the pasta; al dente is best for salads to prevent mushiness.
Be sure to rinse the pasta with cold water to halt the cooking process and keep the salad cold and crisp.
Since the salad contains salty ingredients like bacon, cheese, chicken, and dressing, additional salt is usually unnecessary.
This salad tastes even better after chilling for a few hours, making it ideal for meal prepping.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 370 kcal
Sugar: 4 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 22 g
Cholesterol: 80 mg