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Creamy Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe Easy for Every Season

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A creamy bacon ranch chicken pasta salad that combines tender chicken, smoky bacon, fresh veggies, and a tangy homemade ranch dressing. Perfect for any season and ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225g) rotini pasta (or any short pasta you prefer)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great!)
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled (thick-cut preferred)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or Monterey Jack)
  • 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped (or green onion)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to drain thoroughly.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
  4. While the pasta cooks, fry 6 slices of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp (about 8 minutes), turning occasionally. Transfer to paper towels to drain, then crumble into bite-sized pieces.
  5. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 cup cucumber, finely chop 1/2 cup red onion, and shred or dice 2 cups cooked chicken breast. Toss these ingredients gently in a large mixing bowl.
  6. Add the cooled pasta and crumbled bacon to the bowl with veggies and chicken. Pour the creamy ranch dressing over everything. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
  7. Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives over the salad. Fold them in gently.
  8. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse pasta with cold water to prevent sogginess. Use thick-cut bacon for best texture. Dressing can be loosened with milk or buttermilk if too thick. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Baking bacon at 400°F for 15-20 minutes is a good alternative to frying.

Nutrition

Keywords: bacon ranch chicken pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, easy pasta salad, chicken pasta salad, bacon pasta salad, ranch dressing salad

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/creamy-bacon-ranch-chicken-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-for-every-season/