Chicken Club Pasta Salad

When the heat’s up, you want meals that feel fresh and light, but still filling and flavorful. This chicken club pasta salad hits the spot with tender corkscrew pasta mixed with juicy rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, crunchy veggies, and cubes of creamy Muenster cheese. All of it is dressed in a light mixture of Italian dressing and mayo that mimics your favorite club sandwich flavors.

Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a no-fuss dinner on warm evenings, or a dish to bring to a potluck, this salad fits the bill perfectly. It comes together super fast, and you can make it ahead of time, which is always a win in my book. Feel free to swap mayo for Greek yogurt if you’re watching calories, switch to turkey bacon if that’s what you have, and toss in avocado right before serving to keep it fresh.

• What you’ll get: a flavorful, perfectly balanced chicken club pasta salad bursting with familiar, comforting flavors.
• Why it’s great: it’s fast, easy, makes ahead well, and travels easily for any get-together.
• Quick tips: rinse your pasta under cold water after cooking, mix your dressing before adding other ingredients, and keep it refrigerated up to 3-4 days.

Scroll on down to grab the printable recipe card for full ingredient lists and step-by-step directions.

What to Gather

• 8 ounces corkscrew-shaped pasta
• ¾ cup Italian-style salad dressing
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 2 cups chopped, cooked rotisserie chicken
• 12 slices crispy cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1 cup cubed Muenster cheese
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 avocado – peeled, pitted, and chopped

How to Prepare the Salad

1. Cook pasta in boiling lightly salted water, stirring occasionally, until just tender (al dente).
2. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool and remove starch.
3. Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble.
4. Chop rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces.
5. Cube the Muenster cheese.
6. Chop celery and green bell pepper and halve the cherry tomatoes.
7. Whisk Italian-style salad dressing and mayonnaise together until smooth and creamy.

8. Toss the pasta, chicken, crumbled bacon, celery, bell pepper, tomatoes, and cubed cheese with the dressing; stir gently until everything is evenly coated.

   

9. Refrigerate the salad if not serving immediately.
10. Peel, pit, and chop the avocado and stir it into the salad just before serving.

Small Tricks for Big Flavor

Hold off on adding the avocado until right before serving to keep it fresh and vibrant. Cook your pasta just until al dente and rinse it with cold water to rinse away that starchy taste, which helps keep the salad light — see our Caprese Pasta Salad for another fresh, picnic-ready option. Mix your Italian dressing and mayo together first — this little step makes sure every bite has perfect flavor.

Easy Swaps and Add-Ins

Don’t hesitate to make this salad your own. Swap turkey bacon if you want something leaner, swap or skip veggies based on what your family likes—or lean into Southwest flavors by tossing in corn and black beans with a splash of cilantro-lime dressing. If green pepper isn’t your thing, try swapping in chopped dill pickle for a little tang and crunch. Cheese can be swapped out too—think cheddar or Monterey Jack if you want a different twist.

How to Store and Make Ahead

This chicken club pasta salad stores beautifully! Once mixed up, pop it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. It’s great to make ahead for busy weekdays or to bring along for family gatherings. If you like prepping pasta for lunches, try our Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Orzo as another make-ahead option. Just add the avocado fresh before serving.

Common Questions Answered

Since this pasta salad is inspired by the classic club sandwich, it features some familiar flavors that everyone knows and loves: chicken, bacon, tomato, and more.

Chicken breast works best here for lean protein, but no worries if you have leftover cooked chicken in the fridge. Rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut and adds great flavor, too!

While this chicken club pasta salad is perfect as a main dish, you could easily serve it upsized with some warm garlic toast or crisp crackers on the side to make the meal extra special—or try Lemon Chicken Pasta if you’re craving a cozy hot option.