Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (Printable Version)
Creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta salad with fresh veggies and flavorful dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
16 oz short pasta, uncooked
02 -
8-10 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
03 -
2 cups chicken, shredded or cubed
04 -
10 ounces tomatoes, quartered
05 -
2-3 tablespoons chopped parsley
06 -
1/4 cup thinly sliced onion
07 -
1 cup shredded parmesan
08 -
1/2 teaspoon pepper
→ Ranch Dressing
09 -
1/2 cup mayonnaise
10 -
1/2 cup sour cream
11 -
2/3 cup whole milk (plus up to 1/3 cup more as needed)
12 -
1 packet ranch seasoning mix
13 -
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley and dill (optional)
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water to cool. Toss with a touch of olive oil if desired and set aside.
02 -
Whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, and ranch seasoning. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if necessary.
03 -
In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, bacon, chicken, tomatoes, parsley, onion, parmesan, and pepper. Toss with about two-thirds of the prepared dressing.
04 -
Chill the pasta salad for 30 minutes or until ready to serve. Before serving, adjust the dressing by adding more if needed. Garnish with additional parsley and parmesan.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Cook pasta al dente to maintain its texture in the salad. Overcooking will make the pasta mushy.
02 -
Prepare the salad no more than 24 hours in advance to prevent the vegetables from becoming soggy and dressing from being overly absorbed.
03 -
Adjust salt to taste after all ingredients are combined. The saltiness from bacon, chicken, and dressing may be sufficient.