Description
Crack Chicken Pasta Salad is the ultimate comfort dish that combines tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh veggies, all enveloped in a creamy ranch dressing. This versatile salad is not only quick to prepare but also perfect for potlucks, summer picnics, or weeknight dinners. In just 30 minutes, you can whip up a hearty salad that will please both family and guests alike. Serve it warm or chilled; either way, its delightful flavors and textures are sure to make it a new family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb bow tie pasta or elbow macaroni
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 10 slices cooked bacon (crumbled)
- 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (cut into small cubes)
- 1/4 cup green onions
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until golden and cooked through, approximately 8 minutes per side. Allow to rest before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
- In the bowl with pasta, combine chicken, crumbled bacon, cheese cubes, green onions, halved tomatoes, and ranch dressing. Toss until well mixed; season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling/Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 90mg