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.
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.
Jump to:
- What makes this recipe so yummy
- Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
- Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
- Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Recipe Troubleshooting
- Necessary gear: Equipment
- More pasta salad recipes I think you'll love
- How to store leftovers
- Melanie Cagle
- Mel's kitchen notes
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- 💬 Comments
What makes this recipe so yummy
- 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.
Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- 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.
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.
Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- 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.
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Necessary gear: 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 I think you'll love
How to store leftovers
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.
About The Author
Melanie Cagle
Melanie is a professional cook, food photographer and Cajun food connoisseur. Since 2020 she has been sharing rigorously tested recipes and tutorials right here on this blog.
Her work has been featured on Fox News channels, Yahoo news, Southern Living and more.
Mel's kitchen notes
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!
If you’ve tried this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Video
Equipment
- 1 4.5 Quart Pot
- 1 Colander
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces Cavatappi Pasta cooked, rinsed in cold water
- 1 Each Rotisserie Chicken deboned, and meat chopped
- 8 Ounces Cherry Tomatoes chopped in half
- 8 Slices Bacon cooked
- 1 Each Cucumber sliced
- 4 Each 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.16 Ounces Cavatappi Pasta
- Debone the rotisserie chicken and chop all the meat.1 Each Rotisserie Chicken
- Chop and slice remaining ingredients and add to a large salad bowl.8 Ounces Cherry Tomatoes, 8 Slices Bacon, 1 Each Cucumber, 4 Each Green Onions
- Toss all ingredients, including cooked pasta, with the ranch dressing.1 Cup Ranch Dressing, 1 teaspoon Sea Salt, ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Refrigerate for 2 hours for the best flavors.
Notes
Nutrition
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