Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

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.

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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

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How To Make Pasta Salad

  1. Cook chicken breast and bacon using preferred method (air fryer, oven, stove top, etc).
  2. Prepare pasta according to package instructions. Drain and allow to cool.
  3. In large bowl combine pasta, chicken, bacon, onions, celery and cheese.
  4. In separate bowl combine sour cream, mayo and dry ranch mix. Add to pasta salad ingredients.
  5. Stir pasta salad until evenly coated. Salt and pepper to taste.
  6. 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 ThighsBacon Ranch Chicken SaladSlow 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.

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white bowl filled with pasta salad

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

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!
4.43 from 42 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dishes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bacon ranch pasta, pasta salad, pasta salad recipe, side dish
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 388kcal

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

Instructions

  • 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 388kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 398mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g
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Welcome!

Nicole Harris is the recipe creator behind WonkyWonderful, sharing fast, budget-friendly meals for busy families. Since 2012 she’s been developing 30-minute dinners, kid-approved favorites, and holiday dishes with flair - all with real ingredients and no fuss. She grew up stretching simple pantry staples into something delicious, and that shows up in every recipe: easy, affordable, and full of flavor. Read more...

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4.43 from 42 votes (42 ratings without comment)

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5 Comments

  1. This looks like something my husband would love- ranch and chicken and pasta. Triple win. I am pinning to try soon.

  2. So why would you try it or omit the bacon then? The recipe is Chicken BACON Ranch Pasta Salad for heavens sake!