Description
Crack Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect blend of creamy, savory, and satisfying flavors that will delight your taste buds. This crowd-pleasing dish combines tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and vibrant vegetables all tossed with al dente pasta and a luscious ranch dressing. Whether you’re hosting a potluck, planning a family dinner, or simply whipping up a quick meal on a busy weeknight, this salad fits the bill perfectly. Not only is it easy to prepare in just about 30 minutes, but it’s also highly customizable to suit your preferences. Serve it as a main course or a side dish; either way, it’s sure to be a hit that leaves everyone asking for seconds.
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 (cubed)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/4 cup green onions (chopped)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 8 minutes per side. Let rest before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, crumbled bacon, cheese cubes, green onions, halved tomatoes, and ranch dressing. Toss until well mixed.
- Garnish with additional green onions if desired before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixed
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg