Description
Crack Chicken Pasta Salad is a delightful fusion of tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch dressing tossed with al dente pasta. This dish is perfect for any occasion, from picnics to potlucks, offering a satisfying blend of flavors and textures that will impress your guests without the hassle of complicated cooking. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings. Customize it with your favorite vegetables or proteins for added flair and nutrition. Enjoy this crowd-pleasing pasta salad chilled or at room temperature—either way, it’s sure to be a hit!
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 (cut into small cubes)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- Green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente; drain and set aside in a large bowl.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika; cook until golden brown on both sides. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
- Combine cooked pasta with chicken, crumbled bacon, cheese, tomatoes, and ranch dressing in the bowl; toss gently.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and garnish with green onions before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 90mg