Chicken Club Pasta Salad
This Chicken Club Pasta Salad combines all the flavors of a classic club sandwich—chicken, bacon, cheddar, and ranch—into a hearty, crowd-pleasing cold lunch. It’s quick to make, perfect for meal prep, and ideal for potlucks, picnics, or busy weekdays.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded or cubed
- 1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 avocado, diced
- Optional: 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- Optional: 1/2 cup cucumber, chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente (8-10 minutes or according to package directions). Drain and rinse under cold water. Shake off excess water.
- While pasta cooks, fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy (about 8 minutes). Drain on paper towels and chop. Alternatively, bake bacon at 400°F for 15-18 minutes.
- Dice or shred cooked chicken. Halve cherry tomatoes. Shred or cube cheddar cheese. Chop romaine lettuce and slice green onions. Prepare optional add-ins if using.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, and green onions. Pour dressing over the top.
- Gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Just before serving, toss again. Add more ranch if salad looks dry. Add avocado and delicate veggies right before serving if using.
Notes
For best texture, add lettuce and avocado just before serving. Use gluten-free pasta and dairy-free ranch/cheese for dietary adaptations. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes for optimal flavor. If salad seems dry after chilling, add a splash of ranch or milk. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 23
Keywords: chicken club pasta salad, bacon ranch pasta salad, cold lunch ideas, meal prep, potluck salad, easy pasta salad, chicken bacon ranch salad