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Club Sandwich Pasta Salad Recipe

Club Sandwich Pasta Salad Recipe

4.9 from 13 reviews

This Club Sandwich Pasta Salad combines all the flavors of a classic club sandwich in a refreshing pasta salad form. Featuring tender cooked pasta, juicy chicken breast, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and a creamy tangy dressing, this dish is perfect for lunches, picnics, or potlucks. The addition of toasted bread cubes or croutons adds a delightful crunch, making this salad both hearty and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked pasta (rotini or penne work well)
  • 1 cup cooked chicken breast, cubed
  • 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup cubed toasted bread (or croutons)

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Optional: chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
  2. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked pasta, cubed chicken breast, crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, chopped romaine lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese. Gently toss to distribute ingredients evenly.
  3. Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and salad mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing, enhancing each bite with balanced flavor.
  4. Add Crunch: Just before serving, fold in the cubed toasted bread or croutons to retain their crisp texture and add a delightful crunch to the salad.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives over the salad for a pop of color and extra freshness. Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature, depending on preference.

Notes

  • For best texture, add the toasted bread cubes or croutons just before serving to prevent them from becoming soggy.
  • Rotini or penne pasta works well as they hold dressing nicely; avoid delicate pasta shapes that may break easily.
  • You can substitute rotisserie chicken for convenience or use leftover cooked chicken breast.
  • Feel free to adjust the amount of bacon to your taste, and for a lower-fat version, use turkey bacon.
  • The salad can be made a few hours ahead, but add lettuce and bread cubes just before serving for freshness.
  • Optional garnishes like parsley or chives boost the salad’s visual appeal and flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.

Nutrition

Keywords: club sandwich pasta salad, pasta salad with chicken and bacon, easy pasta salad, picnic salad, creamy pasta salad