Description
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a creamy, flavorful dish perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a hearty lunch. It combines tender rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and fresh vegetables with a zesty ranch dressing, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta for a satisfying, make-ahead salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad
- 1 pound pasta
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
- 1/3 cup red onion, diced
- 12 ounces bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chives, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons green onion, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups half and half (use 1 cup first, then extra 1/2 cup to thin if needed)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 ounce packet ranch seasoning
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside and let cool completely.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, 1 cup half and half, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, dried dill, salt, and fresh cracked pepper until smooth. If the dressing is too thick after chilling, thin it with up to 1/2 cup additional half and half. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Combine Salad: In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, shredded rotisserie chicken, cubed cheddar, diced red onion, cooked and crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, sliced chives, and green onions.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the ranch dressing over the pasta mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.
- Enjoy & Serve: This pasta salad is perfect chilled. If desired, garnish with extra herbs before serving. Perfect for gatherings or meal prep.
Notes
- Be sure to cool the pasta completely to prevent the dressing from melting.
- You can make the dressing a day ahead; it will thicken in the fridge and can be thinned before use.
- Leftover pasta salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten free.
- Rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut but feel free to use cooked chicken breast or thighs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, pasta salad, creamy ranch dressing, rotisserie chicken salad, easy pasta recipe, picnic salad, summer pasta salad
