Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Chicken bacon ranch pasta salad is a quick and easy dish that's perfect for potlucks, parties, and gatherings. This cold pasta salad can be served as a main dish or a side dish, and it's always a guaranteed crowd favorite!
Carmyn's Notes
When someone asks me to bring a dish to a party, this chicken bacon ranch pasta salad recipe is always my go-to.
It’s easy to make, perfect for using up leftover rotisserie chicken, and guaranteed to be a crowd favorite. Just like curried chicken salad, it works as a standout main or a tasty side.
Make it a few days in advance to simplify party prep. Just mix it up, store it in the fridge, and serve it chilled when you're ready. No reheating necessary!
Enjoy! xx
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Pasta: Any short cut pasta will work for this pasta salad like bowtie, fusili, penne, and rotini.
- Chicken & Bacon: You'll need a cup of cooked chicken. You can use leftover chicken or quickly cook a chicken breast in the air fryer. You'll also need 8 ounces of crispy bacon.
- Green Onions & Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes cut in half work great, but you could also use a Roma tomato. If you don't have any green onions on hand, chives are a great substitute.
- Ranch and Catalina Dressing: Creamy ranch dressing adds creaminess and Catalina dressing are mixed together to make the pasta salad extra flavorful.
- Ranch Seasoning: The extra ranch seasoning is optional, but we highly recommend it as it gives the pasta salad even more classic ranch flavor!
- Optional Add-Ins: Red onions, sharp cheddar cheese, parsley, dill, and black olives are delicious additions to this pasta salad.
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set to the side to cool.
Step 2
Mix the ranch dressing, Catalina dressing, and ranch seasoning in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
Step 3
To the same bowl, add the cooled pasta, chicken breast, bacon, cherry tomatoes, green onions, salt, and pepper to taste.
Step 4
Toss together until thoroughly combined.
Step 5
Enjoy right away or store in the fridge.
How to Store
Store chicken bacon ranch pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Subscribe to our newsletter and we'll send you more fresh recipes, valuable troubleshooting advice, useful tips, and other information we believe will be helpful to you!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
INGREDIENTS
- 8 oz (227 g) short cut pasta (bowtie, fusili, penne, rotini)
- 8 oz (227 g) cooked, diced chicken breast
- 8 oz (227 g) cooked, chopped bacon
- 2 cups (300 g) halved cherry tomatoes (sub roma tomatoes)
- 1 cup (100 g) sliced green onions (sub chives)
- ½ cup (120 g) ranch dressing
- ¼ cup (63 g) catalina dressing (sub for more ranch dressing if you prefer)
- 14 g (14 g) ranch seasoning (a half packet, optional)
- salt and pepper (to taste )
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cook 8 oz (227 g) short cut pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set to the side to cool down.
- In a large bowl, mix ½ cup (120 g) ranch dressing, ¼ cup (63 g) catalina dressing, and 14 g ranch seasoning until fully combined.
- To the same bowl, add the cooled pasta, 8 oz (227 g) cooked, diced chicken breast, 8 oz (227 g) cooked, chopped bacon, 2 cups (300 g) halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup (100 g) sliced green onions, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix together until fully combined. Serve at chilled or at room temperature.
- Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Do you have a favorite brand of bottled Ranch and Catalina salad dressing?
Hi Sharon, we don't really have a preference. We usually just buy whatever is most cost effective 🙂