Description
Chicken Club Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavorful, and satisfying dish combining tender grilled chicken breast, smoky turkey bacon, creamy plant-based cheese, and fresh crunchy vegetables. Tossed in a tangy apple cider vinegar dressing (natural), this salad is perfect for lunch, picnics, or light dinners. Easy to prepare and filling, it is ideal for busy days or entertaining friends with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 6 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
- 3 cups cooked pasta shells
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup shredded plant-based cheese
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (natural)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (natural)
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta. Boil pasta shells in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Chicken. Grill or pan-sear seasoned chicken breasts until fully cooked and juicy. Let rest for a few minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon. In a skillet, cook the smoked turkey bacon until crispy but not burnt. Allow to cool, then chop into small pieces.
- Chop Vegetables and Cheese. Slice grape tomatoes in half, dice cucumbers, chop romaine lettuce, and thinly slice green onions. Shred the plant-based cheese.
- Make the Dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar (natural), extra virgin olive oil (natural), Dijon mustard (natural), garlic powder (natural), salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Toss Everything Together. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, sliced chicken, chopped turkey bacon, vegetables, and shredded plant-based cheese. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly. Adjust seasoning to taste. Salad is ready to serve.
Notes
- Use warm pasta to help dressing absorb better and enhance flavor.
- Do not overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Add dressing gradually to avoid sogginess; adjust to taste.
- Chill the salad for 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors.
- Prepare chicken, bacon, and pasta in advance to reduce assembly time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: chicken pasta salad, club salad, healthy salad, plant-based cheese, turkey bacon, easy lunch recipe, picnic salad
