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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.1 from 64 reviews
  • Author: Maria
  • Prep Time: 0h 20m
  • Cook Time: 0h 15m
  • Total Time: 0h 35m
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender cooked chicken breast, crispy bacon, and rotini pasta all tossed in a tangy ranch and mayonnaise dressing. Enhanced with shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, and a blend of spices, this salad is perfect as a satisfying side or a light meal. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s chilled to meld the flavors for a refreshing and hearty pasta salad everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta & Protein

  • 1 pound rotini pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
  • 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled

Dressing & Flavorings

  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
  2. Cool Pasta: Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water thoroughly to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
  3. Cook Chicken: While pasta cooks, heat a pan over medium heat and cook the chicken breast until fully cooked through. Remove from heat and dice into small cubes.
  4. Cook Bacon: In a separate pan, cook the bacon until it becomes crispy. Once cooled slightly, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
  5. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced chicken, and crumbled bacon.
  6. Add Dressings: Pour the ranch dressing and mayonnaise into the bowl with the pasta mixture.
  7. Mix Thoroughly: Stir well to ensure the pasta, chicken, and bacon are evenly coated with the dressings.
  8. Add Cheese and Onions: Sprinkle in the shredded cheddar cheese and chopped green onions, folding them into the salad gently.
  9. Season: Add garlic powder, black pepper, and salt to the salad, mixing carefully to distribute the seasonings.
  10. Add Olive Oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the salad and toss everything together until evenly combined.
  11. Taste and Adjust: Sample the salad and adjust seasoning as needed, adding extra salt or pepper to your preference.
  12. Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least one hour to let the flavors meld and the salad chill.
  13. Serve: Serve the pasta salad cold as a refreshing and hearty dish. Enjoy!

Notes

  • For best texture, ensure the pasta is rinsed well with cold water to prevent sticking and overcooking.
  • You can prepare the chicken and bacon ahead of time to save cooking time.
  • Feel free to swap rotini with other pasta shapes like penne or farfalle if desired.
  • To make it lighter, consider using low-fat mayonnaise and ranch dressing.
  • This pasta salad is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or meal prepping.
  • Adjust the seasoning to taste, especially if you use pre-seasoned bacon or chicken.

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Find it online: https://sweetindulgencescakes.com/chicken-bacon-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe/