Description
Crack Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect blend of savory and creamy flavors, making it an irresistible dish for any occasion. This easy-to-make salad features tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and cheddar cheese, all tossed in a zesty ranch dressing over al dente pasta. Ideal for picnics, potlucks, or casual family dinners, this crowd-pleaser is not only delicious but also versatile. Serve it warm or cold for a refreshing meal that’s sure to satisfy everyone at the table. Enjoy the delightful combination of textures and flavors that make this dish a comfort food favorite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb bow tie pasta or elbow macaroni
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 10 slices cooked bacon (crumbled)
- 1 ½ cup cheddar cheese (cubed)
- ¼ cup green onions (chopped)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in 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 brown and fully cooked (about 8 minutes per side). Let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
- In the bowl with pasta, combine chicken, crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese cubes, green onions, halved cherry tomatoes, and ranch dressing. Toss to combine well and season to taste.
- Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg