Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This chicken bacon ranch pasta salad recipe is creamy, smoky, savory, and full of protein and veggies. Quick and easy to make, it’s a perfect better-for-you comfort food perfect for picnics, barbecues, and meal prep!
Is there a better combination than chicken, bacon, and ranch? We love it in our crack chicken chili! However, when the weather gets warm, we incorporate the ingredients into this easy pasta salad recipe for a lighter, more refreshing option.
It’s our favorite way to use leftover chicken. Plus, it comes together with simple ingredients and is hearty, filling, and makes for the perfect side dish for potlucks alongside our loaded veggie pasta salad and fresh fruit salad!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Below is an overview of the ingredients and instructions to make this delicious bacon ranch. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Pasta – We recommend using small or medium-sized shapes like elbows, rotini, or bow tie pasta. Substitute gluten-free varieties, if needed.
- Chicken – We prefer boneless, skinless chicken breast, but boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work. Or, use leftover zesty crockpot shredded chicken, juicy baked chicken breast, or even leftover rotisserie chicken!
- Veggies – Grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes and red onion add color, crunch, and a tangy taste.
- Crispy Bacon – Use thick-cut bacon.
- Greek Yogurt – This replaces the mayo or sour cream found in most recipes, reducing the amount of fat and increasing the protein content.
- Ranch Seasoning – We use homemade Ranch seasoning or store-bought packets to keep things quick and easy. We find that homemade blends just don’t have quite the same taste and we usually add more salt.
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Cook the protein. Dice the chicken, and cook it in a skillet over medium heat. Or, bake in the oven, ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, cook the bacon until crisp, and chop it into bite-sized pieces.
2. Boil the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the pasta just to al dente according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. Combine. Add all the ingredients to a large mixing bowl, and gently toss to combine.
4. Enjoy!
Possible Variations and Substitutions
- Chicken – Swap the chicken with tuna, grilled shrimp, or steak.
- Bacon – Feel free to use turkey bacon, if preferred
- Veggies – Add to or replace the tomatoes and onion with bell peppers, celery, cucumber, corn, green onions, roasted broccoli, or sautéed zucchini.
- Mix-Ins – Add sliced avocado, cheddar cheese, feta cheese, or sunflower seeds.
- Skip the yogurt and seasoning – For an even quicker option, omit the Ranch seasoning and yogurt, and use creamy ranch dressing instead. Add salt, black pepper, and fresh parsley as needed to suit your flavor preferences.
Storage
This chicken bacon ranch pasta salad tastes even better the next day or so, after the flavors have time to meld. Store leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Give the mixture a good stir to redistribute the ingredients before serving.
More Easy Chicken Salad Recipes
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
Equipment
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 16 ounces chicken breast, uncooked
- 8 slices bacon
- 8 ounces gluten–free pasta, uncooked
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 ranch seasoning packet (see notes)
- 10 ounces grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ small red onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
Instructions
- Dice the chicken and place in a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop. Set aside once cooked.16 ounces chicken breast, uncooked
- In that same skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Place the cooked bacon on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the grease. Then, chop the bacon into small pieces.8 slices bacon
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions. Strain and set aside.8 ounces gluten–free pasta, uncooked
- In the bottom of a large mixing bowl, mix together the yogurt and ranch seasoning until combined.1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 ranch seasoning packet
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, tomatoes, onion, and bacon, to the mixing bowl and gently stir until combined. Top with sliced green onions, if desired.10 ounces grape tomatoes, halved, ½ small red onion, diced
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Did you enjoy this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe? We’d love it if you left a rating and review to let us know, and don’t forget to tag us in your recreations on Instagram!
This salad has SO MUCH flavor even though it has very few ingredients…thank you bacon! The whole family will love this one and it’s perfect to bring to potlucks too.