Description
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is creamy, savory, and loaded with delicious flavors. Tender chicken, crispy bacon, pasta, fresh vegetables, and a creamy ranch dressing come together for the perfect side dish, lunch, or easy meal prep recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Ranch Dressing
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
- 1/4 cup milk (adjust for desired consistency)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Prepare the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, milk, garlic powder, and pepper until smooth.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, add pasta, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, cheddar cheese, and parsley.
- Pour ranch dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until evenly coated.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.
- Stir before serving and add extra ranch dressing if needed.
Notes
For the best texture, add bacon just before serving if preparing ahead. You can substitute grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or turkey bacon. Keep refrigerated and enjoy within 3–4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: chicken bacon ranch pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, ranch pasta recipe, easy lunch salad, party side dish