Name: Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta; 2 cups cooked chicken breast, cubed or shredded; 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled; 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved; 1 cup chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce; 1 avocado, diced; ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese; ¼ cup red onion, finely diced; ½ cup ranch dressing; ¼ cup mayonnaise; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 tablespoon lemon juice

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If you’re craving something hearty, refreshing, and loaded with all your favorite flavors, you have to try this Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe. Imagine the best parts of a classic club sandwich—savory chicken, crispy bacon, ripe tomatoes, sharp cheddar, and creamy avocado—tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and a dreamy ranch dressing. Every bite is a celebration of color, texture, and taste, making it the ideal dish for potlucks, picnics, laid-back lunches, or summer dinners. This Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe is a total crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly easy to throw together, and it’s guaranteed to put smiles on everyone’s faces!

Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be surprised at how this list of simple, readily available ingredients comes together in the most delicious way! Each element plays its part, giving you that characteristic Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe flavor and texture—no bland bites here. Let’s see what you’ll need:

Pasta: Rotini or penne work beautifully here; their shape holds onto the creamy dressing and all the goodies.
Chicken breast: Use cooked, cubed, or shredded chicken for that hearty protein—leftover or rotisserie chicken keeps things effortless.
Bacon: Crisp, crumbled bacon adds an irresistible smokiness and crunch.
Grape tomatoes: Halved for juicy bursts of tangy sweetness throughout the salad.
Romaine or iceberg lettuce: A handful of fresh greens brings a lovely crispness and keeps it reminiscent of a true club sandwich.
Avocado: Diced and creamy, avocado lifts every bite with buttery richness—add it just before serving for the best texture.
Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheddar delivers classic sharpness and melt-in-your-mouth pockets of flavor.
Red onion: Finely diced for a bit of zing and color that makes the flavors pop.
Ranch dressing: The heart of the dressing, giving that beloved herby-cool taste everyone adores.
Mayonnaise: Blends with ranch for creaminess and that lush, silky finish to the sauce.
Salt and pepper: The seasoning essentials—taste and adjust so every ingredient gets to shine.
Lemon juice: Just a splash brightens everything and keeps the avocado vibrantly green.

How to Make Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe

Step 1: Cook and Cool the Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the rotini or penne as directed on the package until al dente. Drain it well and immediately give it a rinse under cold water. This stops the cooking, chills the pasta, and keeps it from clumping—perfect for a pasta salad! Set the cooled pasta aside while you prep the other ingredients.

Step 2: Mix Up the Dreamy Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, and generous pinches of salt and pepper. This creamy blend is truly what makes this Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe stand out! The tangy ranch and brightness of the lemon tie all the savory elements together and make every forkful blissful.

Step 3: Combine the Main Ingredients

Grab your biggest mixing bowl and pile in the cooled pasta, cooked chicken, crisp bacon, halved grape tomatoes, chopped lettuce, diced avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, and red onion. This is where the magic happens! Every color and texture comes together, promising a vibrant salad that’s anything but boring.

Step 4: Dress and Toss

Drizzle all that luscious ranch-mayo dressing over the salad, then gently toss everything together with a large spoon or spatula. Be careful not to mash the avocado—light hands make for the prettiest presentation and best overall texture. Take a taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then get ready for the hardest part: letting it chill.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes. This quick chilling time gives the flavors a chance to mingle and makes the Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe extra refreshing. Just before serving, check on the avocado—if you haven’t added it yet, now’s the time!

How to Serve Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe

Garnishes

Make your Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe pop with extra flair! Sprinkle a little extra cheddar or a few fresh chives on top before serving. A finishing drizzle of ranch or a squeeze of lemon juice brightens flavors and makes the salad look as fresh as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This salad stands tall on its own but pairs beautifully with fresh fruit, a simple green side salad, or a basket of warm, crusty rolls. On summer days, serve it alongside grilled corn or watermelon for a cool, satisfying meal that hits every note.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or meal prep, portion the Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe into mason jars or individual bowls—easy to eat and visually stunning! It also shines as a filling for lettuce cups or as a side for sliders at a BBQ. You can even serve it in a hollowed-out avocado for a fun twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any extra Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If possible, store the avocado separately and add it just before serving to prevent browning, keeping both the flavor and appearance at their best.

Freezing

Unfortunately, pasta salads with creamy dressings and avocado don’t freeze well—the texture just doesn’t hold up after thawing. For best results, enjoy your Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe fresh from the fridge for amazing flavor and texture every time.

Reheating

This dish is best served cold or at room temperature, so no reheating required! If you prefer it just slightly warmer, let the salad sit out for ten minutes before serving. Stir well, and if needed, add a bit more ranch to refresh the dressing.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Main Course, Salad

Absolutely! While rotini and penne are great at holding onto the dressing, any short, bite-sized pasta will work. Shells, farfalle, or even fusilli are perfect choices for this Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe.

How do I keep the avocado from turning brown?

To keep your avocado fresh and green, toss the diced avocado with lemon juice and add it just before serving. If you’re making the salad ahead, store the avocado separately and mix it in at the last minute.

Can I make this Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can fully assemble the salad (minus the avocado) up to a day ahead. Add the avocado right before serving for the best presentation and texture—everyone will be amazed at how fresh it tastes!

What’s the best way to cook the chicken for this salad?

You can use leftover grilled chicken, baked chicken, or poached breasts. For maximum convenience, grab a plain rotisserie chicken, shred the meat, and you’re all set for this Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe.

Is there a way to lighten up the dressing?

Yes! Swap the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt or use a light ranch dressing for a tangier, healthier spin. The results are still creamy and delicious, making this a lighter but equally satisfying meal.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe is my go-to for easy dinners, guaranteed lunchbox hits, or whenever I need something guaranteed to disappear from the table. It’s hearty, vibrant, and so full of classic flavors—one bite and you’ll be hooked! Give it a try and watch it become your new favorite, too.

Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Chicken Club Pasta Salad Recipe combines all the flavors of a classic club sandwich in a delicious pasta salad. Perfect for a quick and easy lunch or a light dinner, this dish is a crowd-pleaser with its creamy ranch dressing and savory bacon.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta:

12 ounces rotini or penne pasta

Chicken:

2 cups cooked chicken breast, cubed or shredded

Additional Ingredients:

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
1 avocado, diced
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup red onion, finely diced
½ cup ranch dressing
¼ cup mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to cool.
Make the Dressing: Whisk together ranch dressing, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Prepare the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine pasta, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, avocado, cheddar cheese, and red onion.
Combine and Chill: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Chill for 20–30 minutes before serving.
Serve: Enjoy the pasta salad cold.