Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
35 min
|
easy
Recipe by Eunice
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 20 min | 15 min | 35 min |
Introduction
This chicken bacon ranch pasta salad is a cool, creamy twist on everyone’s favorite flavor combo.
It’s packed with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and tangy ranch dressing, so every bite feels hearty and satisfying.
Make it for easy weeknight dinners, potlucks, or cookouts when you need a reliable crowd-pleasing side.
Ingredients (6 servings)
Ingredients
Get Ingredients →Order the ingredients from your local store for pickup or delivery. You'll check out through Instacart.
When you purchase through this link, we'll receive a small fee at no extra cost to you.
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
-
Cook and cool the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini until just al dente.
Drain the pasta, rinse under cold water until cool, then drain very well again so the salad does not get watery.
-
Cook the bacon
Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, then transfer to a paper towel lined plate to cool.
Once cool, chop or crumble the bacon into small bite-size pieces.
-
Prep the mix-ins
Dice or shred the cooked chicken breast into small pieces if it is not already cut.
Finely dice the red onion and roughly chop the fresh parsley so it distributes well through the salad.
Add the cooled pasta, chicken, bacon, red onion, Parmesan, and parsley to the large mixing bowl.
-
Mix the ranch dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
-
Combine salad and dressing
Pour the ranch mixture over the pasta mixture and gently fold everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with a little more salt or pepper if needed.
-
Chill and serve
Cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can meld.
Give the pasta salad a gentle stir before serving, and garnish with extra parsley or Parmesan if you like.
Substitutions
- Bacon -> turkey bacon
- Turkey bacon gives the salad a lighter feel but still adds smoky, salty bites very similar to regular bacon.
- Ranch dressing -> Greek yogurt-based ranch
- Use a thick Greek yogurt-based ranch to keep the salad creamy with a tangier flavor and extra protein.
- Rotini pasta -> gluten-free rotini
- Swap in gluten-free rotini or another short pasta to keep the texture bouncy while making the salad gluten free.
Tips
- Salt the pasta water well
- Well-salted cooking water seasons the pasta from the inside, so the salad tastes flavorful instead of bland later.
- Dry ingredients thoroughly
- Make sure the pasta and bacon are dry and cool before mixing, or the dressing can slip off and thin out.
- Chill for the best texture
- Chilling lets the dressing soak into the pasta slightly, which gives a creamier bite and better blended flavor.
- Cook bacon in the oven
- For easy cleanup, bake the bacon on a foil-lined sheet pan at 400°F until crisp, then crumble once cooled.
Nutrition Facts *
| Energy | 558 | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 28 | g |
| Total Fat | 34 | g |
| Carbohydrates | 43 | g |
| Dietary Fiber | 13 | g |
* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.
FAQ
- Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
- Yes, this salad holds well for up to three days in the refrigerator, but add a splash of dressing before serving.
- How do I keep the pasta from getting mushy?
- Cook the pasta just to al dente, rinse it quickly in cold water, and avoid over-stirring once the dressing is added.
- What if my salad seems dry after chilling?
- Stir in a few tablespoons of extra ranch or a drizzle of milk to loosen it until it looks creamy again.
- Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken?
- Rotisserie chicken works great here, but remove the skin and dice the meat so it mixes evenly through the salad.
Serving Suggestions
This pasta salad makes an easy main dish with a simple green salad or a satisfying side for burgers.
For extra color and crunch, toss in cherry tomatoes or diced bell pepper, or top each serving with fresh cracked pepper.
Leftovers taste great with a squeeze of lemon juice, which brightens the creamy ranch and makes the flavors pop.
More pairings:
Reviews
We haven’t received any feedback on this recipe yet.
Made this recipe? How did it go?
Please leave your feedback below. We’d love to hear from you!
