![An overhead shot of a pasta salad in a blue bowl.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Chicken-Bacon-Ranch-Pasta-Salad-Featured-Image-150x150.jpg)
Learn how to whip up a tasty and easy chicken bacon ranch pasta salad in just a few simple steps. Perfect for a quick lunch or a potluck dish.
![An overhead view of a bowl of chicken bacon ranch pasta salad in a blue and white bowl.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Chicken-Bacon-Ranch-Pasta-Salad-Hero-1.jpg)
A pasta salad is always the perfect dish, especially during the summer months. It's cool, fresh and filling.
You could have it just as it is for a tasty lunch dish, or even as a grilling side dish.
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👍 Why My Recipe
- Here in South Louisiana we're the masters of flavor. Everything we make is perfectly seasoned for the best taste. Trust me when I tell you that I tested this recipe a good few times with some tweaks to get it just right.
🧅 Ingredients
![Ingredients needed to make a chicken bacon ranch pasta salad, with text overlay.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Chicken-Bacon-Ranch-Pasta-Salad-Ingredients.jpg)
- Rotisserie Chicken
- Cooked Bacon
- Cooked and cooled cavatappi pasta
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Green Onions
- Cucumber
- Creamy Ranch Dressing
- Salt and Pepper
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
🥣 Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
![A blue salad bowl, with ingredients laid out inside, showing what would go into a chicken bacon ranch pasta salad.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Chicken-Bacon-Ranch-Pasta-Salad-Recipe-Step-1.jpg)
- Step 1: Cook the pasta per the box instructions and rinse under cold water.
- Step 2: Chop all the remaining ingredients and add to a salad bowl with the pasta.
- Step 3: Add the ranch dressing and toss together.
- Step 4: Refrigerate to allow the flavors to marry together.
![Super close up picture of a pasta salad, with chicken and bacon, in a blue bowl.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Chicken-Bacon-Ranch-Pasta-Salad-Hero-3.jpg)
Hint: Make sure to rinse the pasta once you have cooked to al dente. This will ensure the it doesn't continue to cook (and overcook), it will also rinse away the excess starch to avoid sticking together.
🔄 Substitutions and Variations
- Red Onion - instead of green onion, for a more powerful punch.
- Mayonnaise - use mayo and sour cream with other seasonings to make homemade ranch.
- Sour Cream - as above.
- Parsley - fresh herbs add great freshness.
- Onion Powder - could add more flavors.
- Pasta - the type of pasta is not important, choose your favorite.
- Cheese - add some grated sharp cheddar cheese for great flavor.
🔧 Recipe Troubleshooting
- Too much dressing - if you've added too much dressing the only thing I can advise is to add more salad ingredients to soak it up.
- Overcooked Pasta - if you have overcooked your pasta, you should still rinse the starch away, but then you'll have to be really careful in the tossing of the salad as the pasta will likely fall apart really easily.
![Overhead really close up picture of a bowl of chicken bacon ranch pasta salad, with curly noodles.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Chicken-Bacon-Ranch-Pasta-Salad-Hero-2.jpg)
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🔌 Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I just used a saucepan to boil the pasta, then a colander to drain. A large salad bowl and some salad utensils for tossing and serving.
I have affiliate links in the recipe card below if you interested in learning more.
📘 More Pasta Salad Recipes
🧊 Storage
Once the chicken bacon ranch pasta salad has cooled completely, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Pasta salad does not actually freeze well, I don't recommend it.
💡 Tips
Expert Tip: Giving the pasta salad time to sit in the refrigerator after making it will help the flavors intensify. In fact, most pasta salad recipes will taste much better the next day!
![Overhead close up shot of a bowl of pasta salad, with curly noodles and chicken and bacon.](https://thecaglediaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Chicken-Bacon-Ranch-Pasta-Salad-Hero-4.jpg)
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Video
Equipment
- 1 Colander
Ingredients
- 16 oz Cavatappi Pasta cooked, rinsed in cold water
- 1 Rotisserie Chicken deboned, and meat chopped
- 8 oz Cherry Tomatoes chopped in half
- 8 Bacon Slices cooked
- 1 Cucumber sliced
- 4 Green Onions chopped
- 1 Cup Ranch Dressing
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta per box instructions then drain and rinse under cold water.
- Debone the rotisserie chicken and chop all the meat.
- Chop and slice remaining ingredients and add to a large salad bowl.
- Toss all ingredients, including cooked pasta, with the ranch dressing.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours for the best flavors.
Notes
Nutrition
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