Name: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounces Spiral Pasta; 2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast - cooked & chopped; 5 Slices Bacon - cooked & chopped; 1/2 Red Onion - finely chopped; 3 Celery Stalks - chopped; 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese; 1/2 Cup Sour Cream; 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise; 2 Tablespoons Dry Ranch Mix; Salt/pepper - to taste; Green Onions or Parsley

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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is practically a meal all by itself. This easy pasta salad recipe is great for picnics, parties, barbecues or potlucks. The perfect side dish to please a hungry crowd!

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Easy Pasta Salad with Chicken Bacon and Ranch

I don’t know a more winning combination that chicken, bacon and ranch. Whenever I make any recipe with this particular flavor combo it is an absolute hit.

We are keeping this pasta salad simple. Just cook your chicken and bacon however you prefer. I am a big fan of my air fryer so I made Air Fryer Chicken Breast and Air Fryer Bacon. Or make Oven Baked Chicken Breast and Oven Baked Bacon (omit the sweet glaze from this recipe).

Using dry ranch mix is another way to keep this recipe easy. I do not recommend using store bought bottle ranch dressing because it is thinner than the ranch we are making. Plus, store bought ranch dressing tastes kinda strange, IMHO.

Can You Make This Pasta Salad The Night Before

Yes, pasta salads are great the next day. In fact making it the day before gives the flavors time to blend. If you need to loosen the pasta salad up a bit before serving, add a dollop of mayo or sour cream.

Just be sure to store this pasta salad in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

What Do You Need To Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad (screenshot for grocery list)

Spiral Pasta
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
Bacon
Red Onion
Celery
Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese
Sour Cream
Mayonnaise
Dry Ranch Mix
Green Onions or Parsley

How To Make Pasta Salad

Cook chicken breast and bacon using preferred method (air fryer, oven, stove top, etc).
Prepare pasta according to package instructions. Drain and allow to cool.
In large bowl combine pasta, chicken, bacon, onions, celery and cheese.
In separate bowl combine sour cream, mayo and dry ranch mix. Add to pasta salad ingredients.
Stir pasta salad until evenly coated. Salt and pepper to taste.
Top with sliced green onions or chopped parsley to serve.

What should you serve with this pasta salad?

This pasta salad already has chicken and bacon so it could easily be a meal by itself. But, here are a few ideas to serve alongside if you prefer:

Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs – Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad – Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Cuban Sandwiches – Chicken Bacon Ranch Sloppy Joes

For more unique pasta salad check out these 55 Cold Pasta Salad Recipes. Or, take a peek at all of my PASTA SALAD RECIPES. Here is another recipe for Cold Chicken Pasta.