Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch make this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad the perfect 30-minute side dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 16 oz Rotini Pasta Cooked Al dente
- 1 cup Cucumber Diced
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Cut in half
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese Shredded
- ⅓ cup red onion Diced
- 7 strips Bacon Chopped
- ⅔ cup Frozen Peas
- 1 Red Bell Pepper Diced
- 2 cups Chicken Diced
- 2 cups Ranch Dressing
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley
Instructions
- Prep the Ingredients: Dice the cucumber, bell pepper, and onion in bite size pieces. Cut the Cherry tomatoes in half. Make sure the chicken is cooked and diced or shredded. Set everything aside so it is ready to mix once the pasta is cooked.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook your pasta according to package directions in well-salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool it down quickly. 16 oz Rotini Pasta
- Add the First Layer: While the pasta is still slightly warm, stir in the frozen peas. The residual heat will gently thaw the peas. Next, add in the chicken and ranch dressing. Mix until everything is evenly coated and creamy. ⅔ cup Frozen Peas 2 cups Chicken 2 cups Ranch Dressing
- Add the Remaining Ingredients: Fold in the cucumber, onion, bell pepper, parsley, cheese, tomatoes, and ½ diced bacon. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 1 cup Cucumber ⅓ cup red onion 1 Red Bell Pepper ¼ cup Fresh Parsley 1 cup Cheddar Cheese 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes 7 strips Bacon 1 teaspoon Salt ½ teaspoon Pepper
- Chill and Serve: - Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to blend. Right before serving, give it a good stir and add in additional ranch dressing if needed.
Notes
- Use a flavorful ranch dressing- I like to use our Homemade Buttermilk Ranch dressing for the freshest flavor.
- Adjust the creaminess- Pasta naturally absorbs dressing as it chills. If you are making this salad ahead of time, reserve some ranch to stir in just before serving.
- Cook the pasta al dente - Slightly firm pasta holds up much better, so don't overcook pasta when making this salad. Overcooked pasta can become mushy after it is mixed and refrigerated.
- Try protein pasta- For a heartier meal with extra protein and fiber, swap regular pasta for your favorite protein pasta. It is an easier way to make this salad even more filling.
Tried this recipe?Rate it and let me know how it was!
