Description
Chicken Club Pasta Salad is a refreshing and satisfying meal that combines tender grilled chicken breast, smoky turkey bacon, smoked turkey slices, and creamy plant-based cheese with al dente pasta. Enhanced with fresh cherry tomatoes, crisp romaine lettuce, avocado, and a tangy dressing made with plant-based mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar (natural), and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, this salad offers a vibrant, hearty dish perfect for lunches, picnics, or light dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 2 cups cooked rotini or penne pasta
- 1 grilled chicken breast, diced
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked and chopped
- 4 slices smoked turkey, chopped
Vegetables and Fresh Ingredients
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 avocado, cubed
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (basil or parsley), chopped
Dressing
- 1/3 cup plant-based mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta and Chicken: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it. Grill or pan-cook the chicken breast until fully cooked and juicy, then let rest before dicing into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, crisp the smoked turkey bacon until golden and slightly crunchy. Let cool, then chop into pieces similar in size to the chicken for evenness in the salad.
- Prepare the Fresh Ingredients: Wash and chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Halve cherry tomatoes, slice red onion thinly, and cube avocado carefully to avoid browning. Finely chop fresh herbs if using.
- Assemble the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together plant-based mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced chicken, chopped smoked turkey bacon, smoked turkey slices, cherry tomatoes, romaine lettuce, avocado, and red onion. Pour the dressing over and toss gently to coat evenly without mashing the avocado.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to help the dressing adhere better and flavors to meld fully.
- Keep lettuce crisp and dry to avoid wilting the salad.
- Cut ingredients evenly for consistent texture and ease of eating.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors.
- Fold the dressing gently to preserve textures, especially the delicate avocado.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling, Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Chicken pasta salad, club pasta salad, smoky turkey bacon, plant-based cheese salad, summer salad, picnic salad
