Description
Chicken Club Pasta Salad is a fresh and vibrant dish combining tender shredded chicken breast, crisp smoked turkey bacon, and melty shredded mozzarella cheese (vegetal), all tossed with pasta shells or rotini, cherry tomatoes, and crunchy romaine lettuce. Finished with a creamy, tangy mayonnaise-based dressing enhanced with Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and fresh herbs, this salad is quick to prepare, perfectly balanced, and ideal for busy days, leftovers, or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 6 slices smoked turkey bacon
- 3 cups cooked pasta shells or rotini
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups crisp romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (vegetal)
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Finishing Touches
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse under cold water to cool and keep firm.
- Prepare the Smoked Turkey Bacon: While pasta cooks, crisp smoked turkey bacon in a skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss cooled pasta with shredded chicken, chopped smoked turkey bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped romaine lettuce, and shredded mozzarella cheese (vegetal). Pour dressing over salad and mix gently until well coated.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley over the salad for a bright, aromatic finish.
Notes
- Use cold pasta to keep the salad crisp and prevent mushiness.
- Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors.
- Cook smoked turkey bacon until crisp but not burnt for best texture.
- Prepare cooked chicken and bacon ahead of time to save time on serving day.
- Adjust dressing thickness with a splash of water or more apple cider vinegar if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cooking method required for final assembling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: chicken pasta salad, smoked turkey bacon salad, easy pasta salad, dinner salad, picnic salad