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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta salad with fresh tomatoes and cheddar cheese.
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This creamy, savory pasta salad is the ultimate make-ahead dish, perfect for potlucks, picnics, or easy weeknight dinners. The secret is tossing the warm pasta with some dressing first, ensuring every bite is flavorful and never soggy. With smoky bacon, tender chicken, and a rich ranch dressing, it is a crowd-pleasing comfort food classic.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound short pasta (rotini, farfalle, or penne)
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 8 ounces thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1 ½ cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ⅔ cup sliced black olives
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped red onion
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh chives or green onions
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ⅓ cup buttermilk
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) dry ranch seasoning mix
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • Freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain.
  2. Season chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken 6-8 minutes per side until done. Rest 5 minutes, then dice or shred.
  3. Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, ranch seasoning, lemon juice, dried dill, and black pepper in a bowl to make the dressing.
  4. Return drained warm pasta to the pot. Immediately toss with about ⅓ of the prepared ranch dressing.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine dressed pasta, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, cheese, olives, and red onion.
  6. Pour remaining dressing over the salad and fold gently to coat.
  7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or ideally 2-3 hours, to chill and let flavors blend.
  8. Just before serving, stir in fresh chives. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

For best results, do not skip tossing the warm pasta with some dressing first. This prevents a soggy salad and builds flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The salad does not freeze well. For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt in the dressing and add extra vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://harmonymeal.com/chicken-bacon-ranch-pasta-salad/