Description
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a creamy, flavorful dish packed with juicy chicken, crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, parmesan, and a homemade ranch dressing. Perfect as a side dish for BBQs, potlucks, or even as a hearty meal on its own!
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 8 slices Thick-Cut Bacon, cooked and chopped
- 2 cups Cooked Chicken, shredded or diced
Produce
- 1/4 cup Onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley, chopped
- 10 oz Cherry or Grape Tomatoes, halved
Condiments
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 1 packet Ranch Seasoning Mix
Pasta & Grains
- 16 oz Short Pasta (rotini, penne, or bowtie)
Baking & Spices
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
Dairy
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 2/3 cup Whole Milk
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta & Bacon
- Boil pasta according to package instructions, drain, and rinse with cold water.
- Cook bacon until crispy, then drain on paper towels and chop.
2. Prepare the Dressing
- In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, whole milk, ranch seasoning, and black pepper until smooth.
3. Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, onion, and parmesan cheese.
- Pour the ranch dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
4. Chill & Serve
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve chilled.
Notes
- Make It Lighter: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise and sour cream.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Add More Flavor: Try adding avocado, cucumbers, or shredded cheddar cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad, Main Course, Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
