Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

This easy chicken bacon ranch pasta salad is a fun twist on a classic creamy pasta salad. Loaded with shredded rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, diced cheddar, and plenty of creamy homemade ranch dressing – this pasta salad will quickly become a neighborhood favorite at your next backyard barbecue!

 

Easy Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

• This pasta salad is SO easy to throw together! You can chop the ingredients ahead of time to save on prep time also. Once you’re ready to eat, mix everything together with a heavy pour of dressing and you’re ready to go!
• Homemade ranch dressing is the star of the show that ties it all together! Why take a few extra minutes to make your own ranch? Because it tastes way better and you can more easily control the consistency of the dressing. I like my ranch dressing for pasta salads to be a bit thinner than the traditional Hidden Valley Ranch and this homemade version perfectly coats every nook and cranny of the noodles!

Ingredients for Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad

• Pasta: Use your favorite short cut of pasta for this pasta salad. I love rotini, penne, or farfalle. If you can find trotolle, that’s the one that I used and I love its unique shape.
• Sour Cream: Use full-fat sour cream for the best flavor and texture.
• Half and Half: Use regular half and half (not fat-free) for this dressing.
• Mayonnaise: Duke’s is my favorite mayonnaise brand but use whatever your family likes. Don’t use low-fat or fat-free. You’ll be sacrificing flavor and texture!
• Ranch Seasoning: I usually use Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning but any brand or homemade ranch seasoning will work.
• Dried Dill: Dried dill adds an extra layer of herby flavor to the ranch dressing. It’s not totally necessary but I just love dill so much. You can also use about 2-3 tablespoons of fresh dill in place of the dried dill.
• Rotisserie Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is the shortcut to getting this pasta salad done in under 30 minutes! Shred it yourself or look for the pre-shredded chicken in the refrigerated deli section at your grocery store.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Mild cheddar would work in place of the sharp cheddar. Really any cheddar would be delicious. Aged cheddar, white cheddar, or colby jack are all great options.
• Red Onion: Diced red onion adds a little bite. Feel free to thinly slice the red onion instead of dicing.
• Bacon: Everything is better with bacon, right? Use your family’s favorite bacon and cook it super crispy!
• Tomatoes: Cherry or grape tomatoes work best for this pasta salad because they’re easy to slice in half and they’re not too juicy.
• Fresh Herbs: Parsley, chives, and green onion are my three favorites to add to this ranch pasta salad. The fresh flavors brighten up the salad and really cut the richness of the creamy dressing.

How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Cook pasta just until al dente. Combine sour cream, half and half, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, dill, and a few large pinches of salt and pepper in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Add pasta, rotisserie chicken, cheddar cheese, red onion, cooked bacon, tomatoes, parsley, chives, and green onions to a large bowl.

Pour dressing over the pasta salad.

Toss to coat evenly.

Garnish with fresh herbs and enjoy!

Tips for Making the Best Ranch Pasta Salad

• Salt your pasta water. This is your first chance to season the pasta and it will add more flavor to the pasta salad!
• This recipe makes about double the amount of ranch dressing that you’ll need to toss the pasta so that you can use up the entire packet of ranch seasoning. Keep this in mind when dressing the pasta salad. You’re welcome to halve the dressing recipe if you prefer but I love to have leftover ranch in the fridge for chicken bacon wraps, simple salads, and smoked wings.
• The dressing will thicken as it sits. I recommend adding just a cup of half and half initially and then adding more as needed to loosen up the dressing. The further in advance you make the dressing, the thicker it will get, and the more half and half you may need to add to get a thinner consistency.

Make-Ahead Instructions

• This chicken ranch pasta salad recipe is one of my favorite make-ahead sides for summer barbecues!
• Prep the salad as instructed in the recipe card but add only about 1/4 of the dressing initially.
• Cover and store in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• When you’re ready to serve, drizzle the salad with a heavy pour of the dressing and toss to coat evenly.
• This will prevent the pasta salad from getting soggy but still infuse the fresh herby flavor into all the ingredients.
• A hearty drizzle of dressing is the perfect way to freshen up a pasta salad that’s been prepped ahead of time.

Storing Leftover Pasta Salad

Store leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Add a drizzle of dressing before serving if the salad has been sitting for a day or two. Add a little extra salt and pepper and toss to coat as well.

Try these pasta salads next!

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