Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is loaded up with juicy chicken, crisp bacon, sweet tomatoes, cheddar cheese, red onions and tossed with a creamy homemade ranch sauce.  This dish is constantly being requested and it never lasts long!  Perfect for potlucks or family meals. 

 

This fun and fully loaded Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad works as a side dish, lunch, or a light dinner. Pasta noodles, bacon, chicken and other ingredients are all coated in a homemade creamy ranch dressing!

Save time with this recipe by making some short cuts including rotisserie chicken and store-bought dressing. If you’re a fan of pasta salads make sure you check out our Tuna Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad, or Macaroni Salad.

Ingredients & substitutions

• Chicken: The recipe below includes cooking up chicken breasts. To save time cook the chicken ahead of time or use a store bought rotisserie chicken.
• Ranch Dressing: Use a store-bought ranch dressing in place of the homemade dressing to save time. Or prepare the dressing ahead of time and store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. This ranch dressing can store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 
• Mayonnaise/sour cream/milk: The recipe below calls for a blend of mayonnaise and sour cream, which makes a thicker dressing, almost a ranch dip. To thin it out add a small amount of milk. 
• Herbs: a blend of parsley and dill gives a fresh flavor. Dried herbs or fresh herbs can be used. 
• Lemon juice: Add a hint of tanginess with fresh lemon juice. Substitute with regular white vinegar if needed.

How to make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

1. Sprinkle both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes, then flip and cook the other side an additional 5 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove chicken and allow to cool before chopping.

2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Add salt and stir. Pour in the pasta and cook to al dente, where it still has a slight bite, not mushy. Strain the pasta and set aside.
3. Cook the bacon over medium heat in a large skillet to preferred doneness. Remove the bacon and allow to cool before chopping. Set aside.

4. Prepare the ranch dressing in a small bowl. Stir together the mayonnaise and sour cream. Add the seasonings and lemon juice, stir together.

5. In large bowl combine the cooled pasta, bacon, chicken, cheese, red onion, tomatoes and stir. Spoon the ranch dressing into the bowl to coat the pasta salad. 
6. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours before serving.

CHICKEN PASTA SALAD DRESSING:

The best part of this pasta salad is the homemade ranch dressing. It is smooth and creamy, has the right amount of tang, and can be made with either fresh herbs or dried herbs depending on what you have on hand. Here’s a quick overview of the ingredients needed:

• Mayonnaise/sour cream/milk: this all depends on the consistency that you prefer. The recipe below calls for a blend of mayonnaise and sour cream, which makes a thicker dressing, almost a ranch dip. If you want to thin it out a bit add a small amount of milk. 
• Herbs: a blend of parsley and dill gives a fresh flavor. Use dried or fresh herbs. 
• Seasoning: onion powder, garlic powder, and salt round out the flavors. 
• Lemon juice: either a hit of citrus or a splash of white vinegar completes the dressing.

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Recipe first published February 24, 2015. Updated May 12, 2020 and June 13, 2024.

Photography by KJandCompany.co