Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Ranch Pasta Salad is kicked up with the addition of chicken and bacon. This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a meal in itself! It is cool and refreshing with a delicious, creamy Ranch dressing, making it a summer staple for outdoor picnics and parties.

Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad

I love ranch pasta salad recipes because they include two of my favorite things on Earth. Adding in chunks of chicken, crumbled bacon, and some diced green onions create this mouthwatering Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad that will be the hit at all of your upcoming weekend barbecue gatherings, parties, and potlucks!

This is a very flavorful ranch pasta salad. Do you love the combination of Chicken Bacon Ranch? Not only are you going to love the taste, but you are going to thank me for saving you money. Pasta meals and sides are typically cheaper meals to make. This is a great alternative to buying the pre-packaged boxes of pasta salad.

If you’re looking for a new and delicious side dish to have at your next get together or to feed your family, then please give this one a try! Especially on a night when you’re all about that quick and easy meal.

This stuff is super tasty! My kids ate their portions in a matter of minutes! You don’t know how happy this makes me. They are pretty easy to please, but it’s nice when I get a reaction like this one. And you know I will be making this side again and again.

You start with some simple grilled chicken. You can use leftover chicken from grilling the night before, or do what I do, and batch grill a bunch of chicken breasts, cube them, and freeze in portion sizes for things like this. It helps to make a super easy and delicious meal come together in minutes instead of hours!

Ingredients Needed For This Recipe

• 1lb box bow tie pasta
• 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
• 4 strips bacon, cooked crispy
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1 small tomato, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/2 cucumber, diced
• Salt & pepper to taste

How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Cooking your chicken breast is the very first thing you will need to do. I prefer to grill mine or cook on my indoor grill. It will work just as well, either cooking or baking on your stove. Just make sure that you cook your chicken breast until they are no longer pink in the center or 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Pull out that thermometer. 

Let your chicken breast cool to at least room temp before chopping into bite-size pieces. Make it easier on yourself. Burning your fingers is not worth it. 

Next or while you are making your chicken; make your pasta. Following the directions on the box. Please note: that it is best to cook al dente as the Ranch will soak into the paste. Creating a delish flavor.

We prefer to use Hidden Valley Ranch season packet and make semi-homemade version. It tastes creamer.

Then, you will want to chop green onion, cucumber, and tomato for flavor and crunch. You could really add any veggies you want into this ranch pasta salad, but these are my favorites.

 I think it would likely work well with frozen green peas or even edamame if you prefer! You can substitute for sure. And HEY! You may find veggies that you really prefer more in this recipe. 

Mix in your ranch dressing, then add your pasta and bacon. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.

Also, side note, I like to keep in the fridge for at least 4 hours. We then add in more ranch dressing and stir before serving.

Bacon, Bacon, & More Bacon

Did you know that cooking bacon in the oven works great for saving time and keeping cleaning to a minimum? I love cooking the entire pound of bacon right away when I buy it, then I seal it in freezer bags with my Food Saver for future use. Some can be crumbled to go into recipes like this and frozen until needed.  

You can separate slices in waxed paper and freeze, or keep in the refrigerator for up to a week! Just pop into the microwave wrapped in paper towels for a few seconds to heat through! Yum, Bacon!

Recipe Tips

• If left in the refrigerator overnight to chili. You will need to add a little more ranch dressing. The pasta will absorb it.  
• You can use rotisserie chicken instead of making and cooking chicken breasts.
• Feel free to add extra bacon. We all know bacon is life. 
• The ranch dressing you choose will make all the difference. I prefer to make Hidden Valley Ranch from their seasoning packet. It is the BEST!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

Throw together this chicken, bacon, and ranch pasta salad in no time for your next gathering! Make sure to make a large batch so you can pack some away to have the next day! Leftovers just taste so good. 

If you made this recipe, we would love to hear all about it. We get so excited when we learn that you have chosen to make one of our recipes featured on Inspiring Savings. Please leave us a comment below. And did you add extra bacon (because why not)?

More Great Recipe Ideas:

Hawaiian Pasta Salad

Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pinwheels – Snack or appetizer

Sweet & Sour Hidden Veggie Meatballs

Ginger Garlic Pork Meatballs Recipe

Eating out is easy, and it usually tastes delicious, but it’s expensive. Making this meal at home will save you money. Add this recipe to your weekly meal plan.