Description
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a creamy, savory, and crowd-pleasing dish packed with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a flavorful ranch dressing. Perfect for summer cookouts, picnics, or as a light dinner.
Ingredients
2 cups rotini pasta (or your favorite pasta)
2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ranch dressing
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to cool it down.
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Prepare the bacon: While the pasta is cooking, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
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Mix the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ranch dressing, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-combined.
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Combine the ingredients: Add the cooked pasta, chopped chicken, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl with the dressing. Stir until all ingredients are evenly coated.
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Chill the salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour before serving to let the flavors meld together.
Serve and garnish: Before serving, give the pasta salad a quick stir. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
You can make this salad a day ahead and store it in the fridge for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for pasta and bacon)
- Cuisine: American