Description

This Savory Chicken Club Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful summer dish, combining tender corkscrew pasta, chopped rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh vegetables like celery, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes. Tossed in a creamy Italian dressing and mayonnaise blend, and finished with creamy avocado, this salad is perfect for family meals, picnics, or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Dressing

8 oz corkscrew-shaped pasta (or your favorite pasta shape)
1/2 cup Italian-style salad dressing (homemade recommended)
1/4 cup mayonnaise (low-fat mayo or Greek yogurt can be used for a lighter option)

Protein and Cheese

2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken (grilled chicken or turkey also works)
4 slices crispy cooked bacon (turkey bacon or omit if preferred)
1 cup cubed Muenster cheese (can substitute cheddar or mozzarella)

Vegetables and Add-ins

1 cup chopped celery (bell peppers can be swapped)
1 cup chopped green bell pepper (mix colors or omit if desired)
1 cup cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes, or diced regular tomatoes)
1 avocado (added just before serving for freshness)

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Boil the corkscrew-shaped pasta in salted water until it is al dente, which should take about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it quickly and stop the cooking process.
Prepare the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the Italian-style salad dressing and mayonnaise until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This will serve as the base flavor for the salad.
Combine Ingredients: Gently fold the cooled pasta, chopped rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon pieces, cubed Muenster cheese, chopped celery, green bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and diced avocado into the dressing. Mix carefully until everything is well coated with the creamy dressing.
Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time allows all the flavors to meld together beautifully for the best taste experience.
Serve: After chilling, give the salad a gentle stir, adjust seasoning if necessary, and serve cold as a delicious, satisfying meal or side dish perfect for warm weather occasions.

Notes

For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with low-fat mayo or Greek yogurt.
Avocado should be added right before serving to prevent browning.
Feel free to swap the pasta shape to your favorite type or gluten-free alternatives.
You can omit bacon or use turkey bacon for a healthier option.
Replace Muenster cheese with cheddar or mozzarella based on preference.
Bell peppers and celery can be substituted or omitted based on availability or taste preferences.