Description
Fresh and flavorful Chicken Club Pasta Salad featuring tender pasta shells, smoked turkey bacon, and creamy plant-based cheese, combined with crisp veggies and a tangy, natural dressing. Ready in under 30 minutes, this satisfying salad is perfect for quick meals, potlucks, or light lunches with a colorful blend of textures and tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 cups cooked and chopped chicken breast
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1/2 cup diced plant-based cheese
Pasta & Vegetables
- 2 cups cooked pasta shells, cooled
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 medium avocado, diced
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (natural)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (natural)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (natural), or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (natural), or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon natural gelling agent
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down for the salad.
- Prepare the Chicken and Bacon: While the pasta cooks, cook the smoked turkey bacon in a skillet until crisp. Remove and set aside. If your chicken breast is not cooked yet, poach or grill it until fully cooked, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard (natural), black pepper (natural), garlic powder (natural), and natural gelling agent. Adjust seasoning to taste for a creamy, flavorful dressing.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the cooled pasta, chopped chicken, crumbled turkey bacon, diced plant-based cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped romaine lettuce, and diced avocado. Pour over the dressing and combine evenly, ensuring every bit is coated.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld beautifully before serving.
Notes
- Cook pasta perfectly to avoid overcooking and maintain texture.
- Combine only cold or room temperature ingredients to keep the salad fresh and crisp.
- Chop chicken, bacon, and vegetables evenly for consistent bites.
- Use natural gelling agent sparingly to adjust dressing thickness as desired.
- Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for better flavor integration.
- Add avocado last to prevent browning or toss with a splash of lemon juice (natural).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Chicken salad, pasta salad, smoked turkey bacon, plant-based cheese, quick meal, potluck salad, light lunch
