Description
This Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad combines richly flavored rotini pasta with crispy bacon, tender chicken, and juicy tomatoes, all tossed in a creamy ranch dressing. Perfect for quick dinners or potlucks, it’s a simple yet satisfying meal to share with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups uncooked fusilli or rotini pasta
- 5 strips bacon cut into small pieces
- 1/2 medium red onion chopped
- 2 cups shredded cooked/rotisserie chicken
- 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes cut into halves
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing (use my recipe or bottled)
- Fresh parsley chopped, to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the ranch dressing in advance and refrigerate it until ready to use.
- Boil a large pot of salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions, and rinse under cool water after cooking. Drain well.
- Cut the bacon into small pieces and cook until crispy, then place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the fat.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the red onion, chicken, tomatoes, and parsley if desired. Add the cooked pasta and bacon once ready.
- Toss everything with ranch dressing, starting with 1/2 cup and adjusting to taste. Season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately or chill before serving.
Notes
Feel free to add more vegetables like bell peppers or cucumbers for extra freshness.
Make ahead for a picnic or potluck; it keeps well when chilled.
Adjust the amount of ranch dressing based on personal preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg