Description
A delicious and creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad featuring spiral pasta, rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, fresh vegetables, and a homemade ranch dressing. Perfect as a chilled side dish or a light main course for gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad Ingredients
- 12 ounce pack spiral pasta (Wacky Pack Veggie Spiral Pack preferred)
- 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 Ingredients
- 1 pack Ranch Dressing mix
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Make the Ranch dressing: In a small bowl, combine the ranch dressing mix, mayonnaise, buttermilk, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
- Prepare chicken (if using uncooked): Preheat oven to 350°F. Season chicken with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil, place in baking dish, and bake for 30 to 45 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cut into small cubes.
- Cook bacon: Place diced bacon pieces in a cold skillet over medium-low heat. Cook slowly until crispy and evenly browned. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat.
- Cook pasta: Boil spiral pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and keep pasta loose. Transfer to a large mixing bowl to cool.
- Combine salad: Add chopped rotisserie chicken, shredded zucchini, chopped tomatoes, cooked bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, and prepared ranch dressing to the pasta. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Chill: Cover the pasta salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- Rinsing the cooked pasta with cold water stops the cooking process and helps keep the pasta from sticking, which is essential for cold pasta salads.
- Use a large bowl for mixing ingredients thoroughly, then transfer to a serving dish after chilling if desired.
- Starting bacon in a cold skillet helps it cook evenly and prevents burning or curling.
- You can substitute rotisserie chicken with freshly baked chicken, but ensure it's cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Adjust seasoning of the ranch dressing to taste if you prefer it tangier or milder.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
