Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a creamy, savory dish that combines pasta, chicken, bacon, and a flavorful ranch dressing. Customizable to suit your tastes, it’s a delicious and satisfying meal perfect for gatherings or as a make-ahead option.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts or tenderloins diced into 2-inch pieces
- 7 oz container of romaine lettuce shredded
- 8 strips bacon diced
- 8 oz dry rotini or fusilli pasta high-protein or whole grain options can be used
- 6 oz cheddar cheese shredded
- 5 green onions diced
- 3/4 cup ranch dressing homemade or store-bought
- 1-2 tablespoons poultry seasoning such as Weber Kick’n Chicken or Italian seasoning
- Pinch of Perfect Salad Supreme to taste
- 1/2 cup croutons roughly chopped
In a large pan, add the bacon and cook over low heat until crispy. Set it aside, then remove half of the bacon drippings, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan.
Rub the chicken with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season generously with your preferred seasoning. Cook the chicken in the skillet over medium-low heat for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until fully cooked.
While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, rinse the pasta with cool water and drain it well.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced chicken, cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions. Pour most of the dressing over the mixture (reserving a little), and toss to coat. Sprinkle in the Salad Supreme seasoning to taste—around 8-10 shakes works well.
When ready to serve, add the shredded romaine lettuce, croutons, and any remaining dressing. Toss everything together and enjoy!
Low Fat Greek Yogurt Ranch
In a bowl, combine the following ingredients and whisk until smooth:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon each of dried dill, dried chives, dried parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1-2 tablespoons buttermilk or milk, depending on the desired consistency
For Meal Prep
To prepare this in advance, avoid adding the romaine lettuce and croutons until you're ready to serve. When packing for lunch, I place the pasta salad in a container and the romaine in a zip-top bag. The croutons and extra dressing can be stored in separate condiment containers. For inspiration, check out the photos in the blog post above.
