This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a tasty pasta salad combining shredded chicken, crispy bacon crumbles, cheese and creamy ranch dressing!
Don’t you just love a good pasta salad? For me, one of my favorite dishes to bring to a potluck or picnic is a pasta salad. So many varieties, so budget friendly to prepare, and always seems to be a hit with any/every crowd!
A while back, I made a tasty Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole that the entire family loved!
In fact, when I blogged the recipe, it quickly became one of the top recipes on the blog! I think it was the combination of chicken, bacon, and cheese! Three favorites in my book!
That casserole is one that has been made numerous times, especially in the Fall/Winter months when casseroles are one of my go to dinners due to busy evenings and wanting comfort food!
Love casseroles?? Check these favorites out:
Million Dollar Spaghetti Casserole
Fast forward a few months when temperatures began rising here in Houston. I was in the mood for my fav casserole, however, it was warm outside and we had planned on grilling dinner outside.
I decided to experiment with a cold version of the dish, adding in just a few changes to enhance it a bit!
In lieu of Ranch seasoning on the chicken alone, I used Ranch dressing to give this pasta salad a creamy type of sauce. Same great flavor, but now in pasta salad form!
With diced chicken and bacon crumbles throughout, how can you go wrong, right?!
Not only did my family absolutely go crazy over this, but I have since brought this to several picnics, family gatherings, and potlucks, and everyone almost always asks me to share the recipe!
Little do they know that it only calls for 6 simple ingredients, most of which you may already have on hand!
Ingredients Needed:
Rotini pasta ( 1 lb)
Bacon, cooked and crumbled
Ranch dressing
Cheddar cheese
French fried onions
Cooked, diced chicken breast
Now, I know I mentioned above that this pasta salad is great in warm weather, but I will also add, its great pretty much anytime of the year! Sometimes, I prepare this on a Sunday to go with dinner, and then enjoy it for a few quick lunches during the week!
If you want to add in some veggies, feel free! I have added in corn before to use some I had on hand and it was a great addition! Perhaps even some peas?
You can increase/decrease the amount used of the ingredients to fit your tastes! Make this your own and have fun with it! Afterall, pasta salads are supposed to be simple and scrumptious!
Enjoy and be sure to let me know what you think in the comment section below if you try it!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad can be enjoyed as a meal or side dish! Perfect for any occasion! Be sure to print the recipe below and give it a try!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 1/2 lb bacon *cooked/crumbled
- 3/4 cup Ranch dressing
- 8 oz cheddar cheese *shredded
- 1 cup French Fried Onions
- 2 cups chicken *cooked/diced
Instructions
- Boil water in a large pot and cook the Barilla Rotini until al dente.
- While pasta is cooking, cook chicken and sprinkle with desired seasonings. (I used garlic powder and about 2 tablespoon Ranch dressing)
- Once pasta is cooked, drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is no longer warm.
- Add pasta to a mixing bowl and combine with cooked chicken and crumbled bacon.
- Mix in the cheese and onions.
- Pour the Ranch dressing on top and toss to coat thoroughly.
- Place bowl in your refrigerator until ready to serve!!
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe updated 10/14/21
