Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This chicken bacon ranch pasta salad is excellent for an easy family dinner or a crowd-pleaser side dish. Tender chicken, crispy bacon, cooked pasta, and fresh vegetables tossed in a creamy ranch dressing for the most delicious and hearty summer pasta salad!
If you need more pleasing salads, try this elote (Mexican street corn) pasta salad, this creamy broccoli crunch salad, or this creamy Italian pasta salad!
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this chicken bacon ranch pasta salad:
For the dressing (optional, can use store-bought)
For the salad
Ingredient Notes, Substitutions & Variations
Ranch dressing: I always use my very favorite easy homemade ranch dressing recipe for this salad, but feel free to use your favorite store-bought ranch, too.
Cooked chicken: Rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken both work great. Or you can make your own easy cooked chicken breasts in a pan or in the air fryer.
Veggies: Mix and match your veggies however you like! Colored bell peppers, cucumbers, and scallions all add flavor and a little crunch.
Fresh herbs: Green onions, parsley, or chives would also be great for a pop of color and flavor.
Expert Tips
- This salad is excellent for meal prep. Cook pasta, chicken, and bacon and store in an airtight container separate from chopped veggies. Prepare the salad dressing per instructions (or use store-bought) and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. When ready to serve, combine all the ingredients for a quick lunch or dinner.
- If you are making this pasta salad for a party, wait until you are almost ready to serve it before tossing it with the dressing.
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Thank you! ~ Casey
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. rotini pasta (or similar)
- 12 oz. bacon, chopped into small pieces
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced See Notes
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 medium red onion, diced about 1/2 cup
- 2-3 celery stalks, diced
- 1 cup ranch dressing Highly recommended: Homemade ranch dressing (see recipe in the notes) but you can also your use favorite store-bought ranch.
Instructions
- Prep: Prepare ranch dressing (if using). Whisk together all ingredients for the dressing, and refrigerate until ready to use. Cook bacon pieces until crisp (about 8-10 minutes). Set aside to cool. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and cool.
- Assemble: In a large bowl, add pasta. Top with cooled bacon, tomatoes, red onion, celery, and chicken. Toss with dressing until everything is well-coated. Refrigerate at least an hour to allow flavors to marry. I like to reserve a little of the dressing and toss it in right before I am ready to serve.
