Chicken Club Pasta Salad
This Chicken Club Pasta Salad features tender chicken, crispy bacon, cheese, avocado, and vegetables tossed with pasta in a creamy Italian dressing—ideal for potlucks, lunches, or casual gatherings.
6 Servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces corkscrew-shaped pasta such as rotini or fusilli
- ¾ cup Italian-style salad dressing
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups chopped cooked rotisserie chicken
- 12 slices cooked bacon crumbled
- 1 cup cubed Muenster cheese
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 8 ounces cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 ripe avocado peeled, pitted, and chopped
Instructions
Cook the pasta:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, typically 8–10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
Prepare the dressing base:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Italian-style salad dressing and mayonnaise until smooth and well combined.
Add the primary ingredients:
- To the bowl of dressing, add the chopped rotisserie chicken, crumbled bacon, cubed Muenster cheese, chopped celery, green bell pepper, and halved cherry tomatoes. Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
Incorporate the pasta:
- Add the cooled, drained pasta to the bowl and mix until all elements are uniformly distributed and coated in the dressing mixture.
Add the avocado:
- Just before serving, gently fold in the chopped avocado to preserve its color and texture.
Chill and serve:
- Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least one hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled.
Notes
To prepare this recipe gluten-free, substitute the corkscrew pasta with your preferred brand of certified gluten-free pasta. Ensure that the Italian-style dressing, mayonnaise, bacon, and pre-cooked chicken are labeled gluten-free, as some processed or prepackaged versions may contain gluten-derived additives or thickeners. Always read labels carefully when preparing for individuals with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.