Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This chicken bacon ranch pasta salad is a creamy, crown-pleasing side dish made with tender pasta, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and a rich ranch dressing. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, cookouts, and summer gatherings, this easy make-ahead pasta salad is packed with bold, savory flavor and comes together in minutes for a guaranteed crowd favorite.
Are you in search of a meal that combines the savory goodness of chicken, bacon, and ranch? Look no further than this chicken bacon ranch pasta salad. A dish that brings together the perfect blend of flavors you already love.
With tender chunks of grilled chicken, crispy bacon bits, and a creamy ranch dressing, this pasta salad is a delight. The fresh and vibrant vegetables add a satisfying crunch, while the pasta provides a satisfying base. Whether you’re preparing a quick weeknight dinner or planning a summer cookout, this salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Not only does this chicken bacon ranch pasta salad taste amazing, but it’s also incredibly easy to prepare. In just a few simple steps and ingredients you’ll have the perfect dish for any occasion!
How To Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients needed
- Chicken (see notes below)
- Rotini pasta
- Bacon
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cheddar cheese
- Ranch seasoning
- Ranch dressing
Helpful tips for choosing the chicken
There are a few options with the chicken for this recipe. The easiest would be to purchase a back of pre-cooked chicken for salads and add it. The other would be to use a rotisserie chicken and cut it up for the recipe.
The method used in this recipe was simple cutting up chunks of chicken breast, seasoning with salt and pepper then searing it in a frying pan.
Making the chicken bacon ranch pasta salad recipe
- First, cut the chicken breast into bite -sized chunks. Season with salt and pepper then sear the chicken bites until cooked all the way through. Set to the side to cool.
- Prepare the pasta according to the package instructions and cook the bacon.
- Now, take a block of cheese and cut it into small cubes. You can also use shredded cheese in place of it.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes
- Then, in a large bowl add the chicken, bacon, drained pasta, tomatoes, cheese and then add in the ranch dressing and the seasoning pack. You will need the dressing and the seasoning so don’t remove one for the other.
- Serve now or it’s best to sit in the refrigerator covered for at least an hour to allow the dressing to work in with the other flavors, enjoy.
Salad recipes to try next
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Chicken Cesar Pasta Salad
- Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast
- 8 ounce rotini pasta, dry
- 1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 ounce sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
- 1.5 cup ranch dressing
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
Instructions
- First, cut the chicken breast into bite -sized chunks. Season with salt and pepper then sear the chicken bites until cooked all the way through. Set to the side to cool.
- Prepare the pasta according to the package instructions and cook the bacon.
- Now, take a block of cheese and cut it into small cubes. You can also use shredded cheese in place of it.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Then, in a large bowl add the chicken, bacon, drained pasta, tomatoes, cheese and then add in the ranch dressing and the seasoning pack. You will need the dressing and the seasoning so don't remove one for the other.
- Serve now or it's best to sit in the refrigerator covered for at least an hour to allow the dressing to work in with the other flavors, enjoy.