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Mia Cook
Food & Recipes Writer

Mia Cook creates simple, healthy, and delicious recipes. From quick snacks to full meals, her recipes are designed for busy lifestyles and home cooks.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad| Creamy & Easy

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

If you love bold flavors, creamy sauces, and quick meals, this chicken bacon ranch pasta salad will become your new go-to dish. The kind of recipe that brings people back for seconds without thinking. The first time I made this salad, it disappeared from the bowl before the burgers even came off the grill. And that moment made me realize something: simple ingredients can create profound comfort.

This recipe mixes tender chicken, crispy bacon, and rich ranch dressing with chilled pasta. The result is a dish that is satisfying, familiar, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re prepping lunches for the week, feeding hungry teens, or bringing a dish to a party, chicken bacon ranch pasta salad always wins.

Why This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Beats the Competition

What Makes This Version So Special?

Most versions you find online use heavy, one-dimensional dressings or lack the right texture balance. This one is:

  • Creamy but not oily
  • Fresh but still soulful
  • Packed with protein from chicken and bacon
  • Easy to customize
  • Perfect for meal prep
  • Full of bright flavors and crunchy textures

Hidden Valley, Allrecipes, Meatloaf & Melodrama this recipe delivers more flavor, more texture, and more balance.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple ingredients, but the method makes all the difference.

Base Ingredients

  • Rotini or bowtie pasta
  • Cooked chicken breast (grilled or rotisserie)
  • Crispy bacon
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Red onion
  • Fresh parsley

Creamy Ranch Dressing

  • Ranch dressing
  • Mayonnaise
  • A pinch of garlic powder
  • Black pepper

Optional Add-ons

  • Corn
  • Green peas
  • Cucumbers
  • Celery
  • Pickles
  • Avocado
  • Hot sauce or buffalo sauce

How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad| Step-by-Step

This process keeps the pasta creamy, bouncy, and perfectly coated in ranch sauce.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Cook it until al dente, then rinse with cold water.

This stops the cooking and prevents mushiness.

Step 2: Mix the Dressing

In a bowl, whisk:

  • Ranch dressing
  • Mayo
  • Garlic powder
  • Black pepper

This combo gives the perfect creaminess.

Step 3: Add Chicken and Bacon

Use fresh, warm chicken for better flavor absorption.

Crispy bacon gives the salad the salty, smoky crunch it needs.

Step 4: Add Veggies and Cheese

Tomatoes, red onions, and cheddar bring color and bold flavor.

Step 5: Chill

Refrigerate for 30–60 minutes to help the flavors blend.

Full Recipe Card

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked rotini pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
  • 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup red onion, chopped
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta until al dente, then rinse under cold water.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together ranch, mayo, garlic powder, and pepper.
  3. Add pasta, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, cheese, and red onion.
  4. Toss gently until everything is coated.
  5. Season with salt and parsley.
  6. Chill for 30–60 minutes before serving.

Servings: 6–8

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

5 Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipes

1. Classic Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked rotini pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
  • 1 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta until al dente, then rinse under cold water.
  2. In a large bowl, mix ranch dressing and mayonnaise.
  3. Add pasta, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, cheese, and red onion.
  4. Toss until everything is well coated.
  5. Season with salt, pepper, and parsley.
  6. Chill for 30–60 minutes before serving.

2. Healthy Greek Yogurt Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Ingredients

  • 3 cups whole-wheat pasta
  • 2 cups grilled chicken breast, diced
  • ½ cup turkey bacon, cooked and chopped
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup light ranch dressing
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta and rinse under cold water.
  2. Whisk Greek yogurt, ranch, lemon juice, and garlic powder.
  3. Add pasta, chicken, turkey bacon, cucumber, tomatoes, celery.
  4. Mix well and season to taste.
  5. Chill before serving.

3. High-Protein Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad | Meal Prep

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked chickpea or lentil pasta
  • 3 cups grilled chicken breast
  • 1 cup crispy bacon pieces
  • 1 cup corn (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 cup peas
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • ½ cup cottage cheese (blended smooth)
  • 1 tbsp ranch seasoning
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook high-protein pasta and cool.
  2. Blend cottage cheese with ranch dressing until creamy.
  3. Toss pasta, chicken, bacon, corn, and peas in the dressing.
  4. Add ranch seasoning and pepper.
  5. Refrigerate for 3–4 days perfect for meal prep.

4. Quick 10-Minute Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 box rotini (cooked and cooled)
  • 1 can chicken breast, drained
  • ½ cup bacon bits
  • ¾ cup ranch dressing
  • ¼ cup mayo
  • ½ cup shredded cheese
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Mix ranch and mayo in a bowl.
  2. Add pasta, canned chicken, bacon bits, and cheese.
  3. Season with onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Serve immediately or chill.

5. Low-Calorie Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Ingredients

  • 3 cups high-fiber pasta
  • 1½ cups chicken breast
  • ½ cup turkey bacon
  • 1 cup chopped lettuce
  • ½ cup tomatoes
  • ½ cup cucumbers
  • ½ cup light ranch dressing
  • 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp dill
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta and cool.
  2. Mix light ranch, Greek yogurt, and dill.
  3. Stir in pasta, chicken, turkey bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
  4. Season to taste and chill.

FAQ: Readers Also Ask

Can I make chicken bacon ranch pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes. Make it up to 24 hours in advance.
Add a bit of extra ranch before serving to refresh the texture.

How long does it last in the fridge?

3–4 days in an airtight container.

Can I use canned chicken?

Yes. It’s great for quick lunches or budget-friendly cooking.

What pasta works best?

Rotini, bowtie, shells, or penne anything with grooves that hold dressing.

Can I serve it warm?

Yes! It becomes a creamy warm chicken bacon ranch pasta dish.

Final Thoughts: Why You’ll Make This Again

This chicken bacon ranch pasta salad is the kind of recipe that brings comfort without effort. It fits into busy weeknights, weekend gatherings, and casual family dinners. Creamy, fresh, salty, and satisfying everything a cold pasta salad should be.

If you’re looking for a dish that always wins and feels impossible to mess up, this is the one. Try it once, and you’ll understand why so many people keep it on repeat.

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