This easy and delicious Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad combines seasoned grilled chicken, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese and a creamy ranch dressing for a perfect crowd-pleaser that’s ready in minutes!

Why This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Is A Crowd Pleaser

If you’ve ever carried a beautiful salad to a potluck only to bring home almost the entire bowl, first of all… my condolences. We’ve all been there. Thankfully, this Creamy Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad doesn’t suffer from that problem.

Recently I ran across this recipe in a video posted on Instagram. I knew I had to try this recipe! It attracted my attention because it is loaded with all the things my family loves. Juicy grilled chicken, crispy bacon, tender pasta, and a delicious creamy chicken ranch dressing that brings it all together deliciously!

It’s certain to become one of your summer favorites. Grab your apron and join me as I share this new Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad with you!

Ingredients Needed For The Recipe

• 16 ounces of grilled chicken breast, or chicken tenders
• 16 ounces of thick cut bacon
• 12 ounces of rotini pasta
• 8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
• ¼ cup green onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup chicken broth
• 2 Tablespoons Ranch Seasoning Mix
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons All-purpose seasoning or your favorite grilled seasoning blend.

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

If you follow these simple step-by-step instructions, this salad will be ready in no time. I find that if I prepare the chicken and bacon in advance, even a day or two beforehand, it comes together easily and quickly!

Cooking The Chicken

This is where planning ahead comes in handy! I like to use chicken tenders for this recipe, but you can use boneless chicken breast, or rotisserie chicken.

To keep it simple and help with meal prep, I doubled the chicken. Since I prefer to grill the chicken for this recipe, doubling the amount of chicken allows enough for dinner or green salads during the week. The other half, I used to make this salad the next day!

Drizzle the chicken breasts, or tenders, with olive oil and coat with a heavy sprinkle of “All-purpose” seasoning, or your favorite grilling seasoning blend. The original recipe calls for “poultry seasoning.” However, I have found that a great grilling seasoning is even better.

Preheat BBQ grill to medium-high heat. Place chicken on the grill and cook until the chicken runs clear and reaches an internal temperature of 165°. Remove from heat and cut into bite-sized pieces.

Preparing The Bacon

Slice the thick cut bacon into small chunks. In a medium-sized skillet, over medium heat, cook the bacon until it is golden and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to scoop the cooked bacon out of the skillet and drain on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease.

TIP: I learned this little “bacon” trick from Dad years ago. When you need “crumbled” or “chopped” bacon, cut it before cooking. This helps speed up cook times, and it’s ready to use right after cooking!

Cooking And Cooling The Pasta

Boil your rotini according to the package directions until al dente. Once the tender pasta is ready, drain and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and keep it from sticking together.

Mixing The Ranch Dressing And Combining All Ingredients

Now this isn’t just your typical ranch dressing. Nope, this has added flavor thanks to the addition of chicken broth. Sounds weird…but this dressing is the secret to the best flavor in every bite.

In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, chicken broth, and 2 Tablespoons of Ranch Salad Seasoning.

Mix all the ingredients together until fully combined.

Assemble the Pasta Salad

Time to bring all these delicious ingredients together! In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, grilled chicken, crispy thick bacon, freshly grated cheddar cheese, and green onion.

Add 1 cup of the ranch dressing. Toss everything together until well coated.

Serve immediately, or cover and chill.

TIP: Pasta tends to absorb the dressing during chill times and a bit of extra dressing adds that creamy texture desired in a pasta salad.

Tips For Making It Ahead And Storing Leftovers

One of my favorite things about this Creamy Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad is that it’s actually better when you make it ahead of time. Giving everything a few hours to mingle in the refrigerator lets the ranch dressing soak into the pasta and gives all those delicious flavors time to become best friends.

If you’re making it for a party or potluck, prepare it up to 24 hours in advance. Just cover it tightly and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Before serving, give it a good stir. If the pasta has absorbed some of the dressing (which it usually does), simply stir in a few spoonfuls of Ranch Dressing, or a splash of milk, to bring back that creamy texture.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Since this salad contains chicken and a creamy dressing, it’s best to keep it chilled and avoid leaving it out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour on especially hot days).

Freezing isn’t recommended. The creamy dressing can separate after thawing, and the pasta tends to become soft and mushy, so this salad is definitely at its best enjoyed fresh from the fridge.

Variations And Add Ons To Customize The Salad

One of the best things about this Creamy Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad is how easy it is to customize. If you know anything about me, I ALWAYS encourage creativity with my recipes. Think of the recipe as a delicious starting point, then add your family’s favorite ingredients to make it your own!

• Add more veggies. Stir in diced bell peppers, cucumbers, broccoli florets, shredded carrots, peas, or cherry tomatoes for extra color and crunch.
• Turn up the cheese. Cheddar is a classic, but Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, or even cubes of mozzarella are all tasty options.
• Give it a little kick. Mix in diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce for a spicy twist.
• Swap the protein. Leftover rotisserie chicken makes this recipe extra easy, but grilled chicken, turkey, diced ham, or even cooked shrimp work beautifully.
• Add more crunch. Chopped red onions, crispy fried onions, chopped pecans or sliced toasted almonds add wonderful texture to every bite.
• Mix in extra flavor. Black olives, chopped fresh parsley, or a sprinkle of fresh dill can give the salad a whole new personality.
• Lighten it up. Substitute plain Greek yogurt for part of the mayonnaise or sour cream to create a lighter dressing with a little extra protein. You could also substitute Low Fat Ranch Dressing.
• Try a different pasta. Rotini, bow ties, penne, shells, or cavatappi all hold onto that creamy ranch dressing wonderfully.

The beauty of this recipe is that it’s hard to go wrong. Whether you’re cleaning out the refrigerator or adding a few family favorites, this pasta salad is incredibly forgiving.

Serving Suggestions And Occasions For Enjoying This Pasta Salad

This Creamy Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad is one of those recipes that seems to fit just about every occasion. It’s hearty enough to serve as a main dish, but it also plays nicely alongside your favorite grilled meats and summer classics.

I served this salad on the 4^th of July with my Special BBQ Ribs. But it also goes beautifully with grilled burgers, barbecue chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, or juicy steaks for an easy backyard cookout menu. It also pairs perfectly with hot dogs, sloppy joes, or grilled bratwurst when you’re feeding a hungry crowd.

Looking for an easy lunch? I enjoy a generous bowl on its own with fresh fruit and a slice of crusty bread. Since it includes chicken, bacon, pasta, and cheese, it’s satisfying enough to be a complete meal all by itself.

This pasta salad is also a wonderful choice for:

• Summer barbecues and cookouts
• Family reunions
• Church potlucks
• Picnics in the park
• Baby and bridal showers
• Graduation parties
• Game day gatherings
• Holiday buffets
• Meal prep lunches for the week

Because it’s served cold, it’s easy to make ahead, transport, and set out when entertaining. Just remember to keep it chilled until serving and return any leftovers to the refrigerator promptly. It’s one of those dependable recipes that’s just as welcome at a casual weeknight dinner as it is on the buffet table at your next celebration.

Recipe Wrap-Up!

This recipe lived up to all its “Viral Hype”! I love when a recipe that is receiving so much social media attention is actually as good as it looks! Yes, I “tweaked” it to fit our tastes, but it’s a great springboard recipe!

Whether you’re making it for a backyard barbecue, packing it for weekday lunches, or serving it at your next family gathering, this easy recipe is always a crowd favorite. Even better, it’s simple to prepare ahead of time, and I’m all for anything that makes life in the kitchen easier!

More Pasta Salad Recipes

• Best Seafood Pasta Salad Recipe
• Muffuletta Olive Pasta Salad Recipe
• Pasta Shrimp Pasta Salad
• Tortellini Olive Pasta Salad
• Traditional Hawaiian Pasta Salad
• Easy Taco Pasta Salad from Diary of a Real Housewife

If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment below and let me know if you added your own special twist. And if you enjoyed it, don’t forget to rate the recipe and share it with family and friends.

Happy cooking, and may your pasta salad bowl always come home empty!

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