Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad is a delicious and satisfying dish that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a hearty meal. This salad combines tender pasta, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and a creamy ranch dressing. Follow these steps to create a flavorful and easy pasta salad that everyone will love.
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- ¼ cup chives, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
For the Pasta Salad:
- 10 ounces pasta (Rigati or any pasta of your choice)
- 6 slices bacon, chopped and fried
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced (about 2 cups, use rotisserie chicken for convenience)
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- ¼ cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta:
o Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook it until it reaches an al dente texture, as indicated on the package instructions. After cooking, drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly under cold running water to halt the cooking process and prevent it from becoming mushy. - Prepare the Bacon:
o In a skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy.
o Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it is crispy and golden brown. Carefully remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain off the excess grease. Set the bacon aside to cool. - Prepare the Chicken:
o If using rotisserie chicken, remove the breast meat and dice it into bite-sized pieces. If cooking chicken breasts, season and cook them in a skillet until fully cooked, then dice. - Prepare the Vegetables:
o Chop the celery, slice the black olives, and halve the cherry tomatoes. - Make the Dressing:
o In a large mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch dressing, chopped chives, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the dressing is smooth and creamy. - Combine the Salad Ingredients:
o Add the cooked pasta, diced chicken, chopped bacon, celery, black olives, and cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the dressing.
o Carefully combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, gently tossing them together until everything is thoroughly mixed and evenly coated with the dressing. Take your time to ensure even distribution of the dressing and ingredients for the best taste and presentation. - Chill the Salad:
o Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together. - Serve:
o Before serving, give the salad a good stir and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
o For an added touch of flavor and visual appeal, sprinkle some additional chopped chives over the top as a garnish, if desired. This will enhance the dish’s presentation and provide a burst of fresh, herbal taste.
Conclusion
Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With its creamy dressing, tender pasta, and fresh vegetables, this salad is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Enjoy this delicious and easy-to-make pasta salad with family and friends. Bon appétit!