Description
A delicious and hearty Chicken Club Pasta Salad combining al dente pasta, crispy bacon, tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and creamy ranch dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a satisfying lunch, this salad is easy to prepare and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta (rigatoni, shells, rotini, or penne)
Meats and Protein
- 12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
Dressing
- 1 cup Ranch dressing
Instructions
- Cook 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 and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta along with the cooked bacon, chopped chicken, cherry tomatoes, cheddar cheese, celery, and green bell pepper.
- Add Dressing: Pour the ranch dressing over the ingredients in the bowl and toss well until everything is evenly coated.
- Serve: Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
- Salt your pasta water generously to enhance flavor. Think salty like the sea.
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness when chilled.
- Rinse pasta in cold water thoroughly to halt cooking and prepare for cold salad.
- The salad requires no additional salt due to salty ingredients; taste and season if necessary after mixing.
- Best enjoyed within 5 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Not suitable for freezing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
