Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is practically a meal all by itself. This easy pasta salad recipe is great for picnics, parties, barbecues or potlucks. The perfect side dish to please a hungry crowd!
Easy Pasta Salad with Chicken Bacon and Ranch
I don’t know a more winning combination that chicken, bacon and ranch. Whenever I make any recipe with this particular flavor combo it is an absolute hit.
We are keeping this pasta salad simple. Just cook your chicken and bacon however you prefer. I am a big fan of my air fryer so I made Air Fryer Chicken Breast and Air Fryer Bacon. Or make Oven Baked Chicken Breast and Oven Baked Bacon (omit the sweet glaze from this recipe).
Using dry ranch mix is another way to keep this recipe easy. I do not recommend using store bought bottle ranch dressing because it is thinner than the ranch we are making. Plus, store bought ranch dressing tastes kinda strange, IMHO.
Can You Make This Pasta Salad The Night Before
Yes, pasta salads are great the next day. In fact making it the day before gives the flavors time to blend. If you need to loosen the pasta salad up a bit before serving, add a dollop of mayo or sour cream.
Just be sure to store this pasta salad in an air tight container in the refrigerator.
Ingredients:
16 ounces Spiral Pasta
2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast – cooked & chopped
5 Slices Bacon – cooked & chopped
1/2 Red Onion – finely chopped
3 Celery Stalks – chopped
1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons Dry Ranch Mix
Salt/pepper – to taste
Green Onions or Parsley
Instructions:
Cook chicken breast and bacon using preferred method (air fryer, oven, stove top, etc).
Prepare pasta according to package instructions. Drain and allow to cool.
In large bowl combine pasta, chicken, bacon, onions, celery and cheese.
In separate bowl combine sour cream, mayo and dry ranch mix. Add to pasta salad ingredients.
Stir pasta salad until evenly coated. Salt and pepper to taste.
Top with sliced green onions or chopped parsley to serve.
Source:https://wonkywonderful.com/chicken-bacon-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe/
