Description
This Chicken Club Pasta Salad is a quick and delicious dish combining tender pasta, crispy bacon, juicy chicken, fresh vegetables, and creamy Ranch dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a potluck side, it offers a colorful medley of textures and flavors that come together in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta (rigatoni, shells, rotini, or penne)
Protein
- 12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups cooked and chopped chicken
Vegetables & Cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
Dressing
- 1 cup Ranch dressing
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Prepare the Ingredients: While the pasta cooks, cook the bacon until crispy, then crumble it. Chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes and chop the celery and green bell pepper into small, uniform pieces for easy mixing.
- Combine the Salad: In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta followed by the crumbled bacon, chopped chicken, cherry tomatoes, cheddar cheese cubes, celery, and green bell pepper. Pour in the Ranch dressing over the mixture.
- Toss and Serve: Toss everything together well until all ingredients are evenly coated with dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. For optimal flavor, chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to rinse the pasta with cold water after boiling to prevent it from becoming mushy and to cool it quickly for the salad.
- You can substitute Ranch dressing with a lighter vinaigrette or yogurt-based dressing for a healthier twist.
- For extra crunch, add toasted nuts or seeds as a topping before serving.
- This salad can be prepared a few hours in advance, but avoid adding dressing until just before serving if preparing much earlier to keep the pasta from absorbing too much dressing.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; toss again before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling and Mixing
- Cuisine: American
