Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

A bowl full of pasta salad topped with chicken, bacon, and tomatoes.

5 from 2 votes

Get ready to dive into flavor town with our Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad! Imagine juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and perfectly cooked pasta all coated in creamy ranch dressing. It's like a party for your taste buds!

Prep Time10

Cook Time8

Chill Time2

Total Time2 18

Course: Side Dish Recipes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken bacon ranch pasta salad

Servings: servings

Calories: 528kcal

Author: Deanne Frieders

Ingredients

1 pound chicken breast cooked, chopped and cooled
10 ounces rotini pasta
½ pound bacon cooked and chopped
8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
¾ cup cherry tomatoes halved
½ of a small red onion diced
6 ounces ranch dressing

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to package instructions until just al dente. (Do not overcook)
Strain in a colander and rinse with cold water to cool. Drain thoroughly.
In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked chicken, well drained rotini pasta, cooked bacon, shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes and onions. Stir gently to combine ingredients.
Pour the ranch dressing over the salad, folding in the salad dressing with a rubbed spatula.
Refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving.

Notes

Variations

Veggie loaded: Add a burst of color and nutrition by incorporating diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, or shredded carrots. These veggies will not only enhance the colors but also add a refreshing crunch.
Whole grain: Swap out regular pasta for whole wheat, chickpea pasta or a different type of pasta like penne, bowtie, or rotini. This can add a nuttier flavor and increase the fiber content, too.

Substitutions

If you prefer a spicier version, pepper jack cheese will give you some spice action. Cheddar cheese works, too.
It's easy to make a simple healthy ranch dressing, too!
Play around with different types of bacon. Turkey bacon would likely work thought it may cook faster. This means your jalapeno halves may have a little crunch to them after cooking.

Store leftovers, covered in the refrigerator. To give it a refresh, you may want to add a tablespoon or two of ranch dressing before serving.

Nutrition