Description
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a hearty, creamy, and flavorful dish with crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, tender chicken, and smoky bacon, all tossed in a tangy ranch dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta (or similar short pasta)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups crisp romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup croutons
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, and shredded cheddar cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing and mayonnaise. Pour over the pasta mixture and toss until well coated.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Just before serving, gently fold in the chopped romaine lettuce and croutons, or serve them on top for extra crunch.
Notes
For a lighter version, use low-fat ranch dressing and mayonnaise. Add diced avocado or chopped red onion for extra flavor and texture. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but add lettuce and croutons only when serving to maintain crispness.
Nutrition
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Fat: 28 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Protein: 24 g