Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
A comforting and satisfying dish that combines tender pasta, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch dressing.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad Base
- 8 ounces short pasta, uncooked Choose your preferred type of short pasta.
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked; chopped Chicken should be cooked prior to adding to salad.
Meat
- ½ pound bacon Cook until crispy before adding to salad.
Cheese and Vegetables
- ¼ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; plus extra for garnish Shred cheese for easy mixing.
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped; plus extra for garnish Whole green onions add more flavor.
Dressing
- 1 ¼ cups ranch dressing Adjust amount for creaminess preference.
Instructions
Cooking Pasta
- Begin by bringing a generous pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add the short pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Preparing Bacon
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon strips until crispy. Remove from skillet, place on paper towels to absorb grease, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
Mixing Ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, crispy bacon, chopped chicken, shredded cheese, and green onions. Gently toss to mix.
- Drizzle the ranch dressing over the mixture and toss again until everything is well coated.
Storing
- Transfer the pasta salad into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Garnish with extra cheese, bacon, and green onions before serving.
Notes
Make sure to rinse the pasta thoroughly to prevent clumping. Adjust seasoning after adding dressing if necessary.