Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

_{Ranch Pasta Salad is kicked up with the addition of chicken and bacon. It is refreshing with a delicious, creamy ranch dressing, making it a summer staple for outdoor picnics and parties.}

Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad

Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes Total Time: 30 Minutes Servings: 6-8 Servings

I love ranch pasta salad recipes because they include two of my favorite things on Earth. Adding in chunks of chicken, crumbled bacon, and some diced green onions create this mouthwatering Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad that will be the hit at all of your upcoming weekend barbecue gatherings, parties, and potlucks!

Plus, you won’t want to miss our Best Broccoli Salad with Bacon Recipe. Also, another great recipe for getting together. This is a very flavorful ranch pasta salad. 

This is a great alternative to buying pre-packaged boxes of pasta salad. If you’re looking for a new and delicious side dish to have at your next get-together or to feed your family, then please give this one a try! Especially on a night when you’re all about that quick and easy meal.

You can use leftover chicken from grilling the night before, or do what I do, and batch grill a bunch of chicken breasts, cube them, and freeze them in portion sizes for things like this.

Why You Will Love This Pasta Salad

• Perfect for Any Occasion: Suitable for potlucks, barbecues, or just a quick weeknight meal, this pasta salad is incredibly convenient. It can be made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
• Comforting Yet Refreshing: The combination of creamy dressings, crunchy textures, and fresh ingredients makes every spoonful both comforting and refreshing—a perfect balance for any palate.
• Less than 20 minutes to make – If you’ve never made this pasta salad before, you’ll be surprised by how easy it is. The takes less than 5 minutes to mix together after the pasta, chicken, and bacon have been cooked.

Ingredients Needed

• Bow tie pasta – A classic recipe calls for a classic pasta. It may seem basic, but this pasta salad wouldn’t be the same without it.
• Chicken breast and bacon – Are the star protein and fat of this dish. This is what makes it a meal in itself, but of course, you can serve it as a side. I like to make sure my bacon is super crispy for this recipe.
• Ranch dressing – For this recipe my favorite is making ranch dressing from a packet Hidden Valley Ranch and making it Hellmann’s mayo. Hellmann’s does make the best-tasting mayonnaise, and this pasta salad would not be the same without it. Or you can try my delicious homemade mayo recipe. Just do not substitute for Miracle Whip, much too sweet.
• Veggies -I add in diced celery, tomatoes, cucumbers and chopped green onion. This gives this pasta salad a nice crunch and flavor. Don’t forget to salt and pepper to taste.

How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

STEP ONE: Grill or saute chicken breast until the chicken is browned with an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Let your chicken breast cool to at least room temp before chopping it into bite-size pieces.

STEP TWO: Cook bacon until crispy. Once cooled, chop and set aside.

STEP THREE: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add pasta, drizzle with olive oil, and stir. Cook until pasta is done. Rinse with cold water, let drain. Set aside.

STEP FOUR: Then, chop green onion, cucumber, and tomato. Place in large bowl. Then add ranch dressing.

STEP FIVE: Stir in the pasta, chicken, and bacon. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place in fridge to chill at least 4 hours.

Additional Recipe Tips

• If left in the refrigerator overnight to chili. You will need to add a little more ranch dressing. The pasta will absorb it.  
• You can use rotisserie chicken instead of making and cooking chicken breasts.
• Feel free to add extra bacon. We all know bacon is life. 
• The ranch dressing you choose will make all the difference. I prefer to make Hidden Valley Ranch from their seasoning packet. It is the BEST!

More Great Salad Recipe Ideas

Hawaiian Pasta Salad

Spicy Cucumber & Tomato Salad – Made in 5 Minutes

Best Broccoli Salad with Bacon Recipe

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