Description
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad combines tender rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and a creamy homemade ranch dressing mixed with spiral pasta for a flavorful, satisfying dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or casual meals.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta Salad
- 12 ounce pack spiral pasta (Wacky Pack Veggie Spiral Pack recommended)
- 3 cups chopped rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 chopped tomato or a handful of cherry tomatoes chopped in half
- 6 pieces thick sliced bacon, diced and cooked well done
- 1 zucchini, shredded (about 2 cups)
Copycat Ranch Dressing
- 1 packet Ranch Dressing mix
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare Ranch Dressing: In a small bowl, combine ranch dressing mix, mayonnaise, buttermilk, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Stir well to create a creamy ranch dressing. Set aside.
- Cook Bacon: Cook diced bacon pieces on medium-low heat in a skillet until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess grease.
- Cook Pasta: Cook the spiral pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Prepare Chicken (If using uncooked): If not using rotisserie chicken, season raw chicken with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil, and bake in a 350°F preheated oven for 30 to 45 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let cool and then cut into small cubes.
- Combine Ingredients: Add chopped rotisserie chicken (or prepared cooked chicken), shredded zucchini, chopped tomato, cooked bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and the prepared ranch dressing to the bowl with pasta. Mix everything thoroughly to combine.
- Chill Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for 1 to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and serve chilled.
Notes
- For added freshness, substitute cherry tomatoes with grape tomatoes.
- Use gluten-free pasta if a gluten-free dish is desired.
- You can cook the chicken on the stovetop if preferred, but baking ensures even cooking.
- If buttermilk is not available, use milk with a splash of lemon juice as a substitute.
- Prepare the ranch dressing a few hours ahead to deepen the flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
