Club Sandwich Pasta Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Club Sandwich Pasta Salad is a fresh, flavorful twist on the classic sandwich you love. Packed with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and crunchy bread cubes, it’s a satisfying dish perfect for lunch or a casual dinner. Easy to prepare and great served chilled or at room temperature, it’s sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation.

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)
• 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. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Set the dressing aside.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cubed chicken breast, crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, chopped romaine lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese.
3. Step 3: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
4. Step 4: Just before serving, fold in the toasted bread cubes or croutons to add a crunchy texture.
5. Step 5: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives if desired, and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

• Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut without compromising flavor.
• Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream to lighten the dressing without losing creaminess.
• Try swapping cheddar for Swiss or mozzarella cheese for a different flavor profile.
• For extra freshness, add diced cucumber or bell peppers to the salad.
• Toast your own bread cubes using olive oil and garlic powder for enhanced taste.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To keep the bread cubes crunchy, store them separately and add just before serving. Reheat is not recommended, as this salad is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the salad a few hours ahead. Keep the dressing and bread cubes separate until just before serving to maintain freshness and crunch.

What pasta works best for this recipe?

Rotini or penne are ideal because their shapes hold the dressing well and mix nicely with the other ingredients, but feel free to use your favorite small pasta shape.

Club Sandwich Pasta Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 50 reviews

This Club Sandwich Pasta Salad is a delightful twist on the classic club sandwich, combining cooked pasta with tender chicken, crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and a creamy tangy dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or picnic, it’s served chilled or at room temperature with crunchy toasted bread cubes for added texture.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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 Garnish

• Chopped fresh parsley or chives

Instructions

1. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the 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. Mix gently to combine evenly.
3. Add the dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Gently toss everything together ensuring all the ingredients are well coated with the creamy dressing.
4. Incorporate crunch: Just before serving, fold in the cubed toasted bread or croutons carefully to maintain their crispness and add a delightful crunch to the salad.
5. Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives if desired. Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.

Notes

• To save time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breast.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta and gluten-free croutons or omit the toasted bread cubes.
• The salad tastes best when served within a few hours of preparation to keep the toasted bread cubes crispy.
• This recipe can be made a few hours in advance; keep the bread cubes separate until just before serving.
• Feel free to add other sandwich staples like sliced avocado or cucumber for added flavor and texture.

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