Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad combines creamy ranch dressing with crispy bacon and tender chicken, making it an ideal choice for casual lunches or gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Pasta & Veggies:
- 1 pound pasta
- 1 whole green bell pepper diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 1/4 of a red onion finely chopped
For the Chicken & Bacon:
- 6 strips bacon
- 2 whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
For the Dressing:
- 1 1/2 cups ranch dressing
Instructions
For Pasta:
- Fill a large pot with water, add salt, and bring it to a boil. Cook the pasta until it's soft yet firm, about 8 to 10 minutes. After cooking, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down.
For Chicken & Bacon:
- Cook the bacon in a skillet on medium heat until it's crispy. Once cooked, place it on paper towels to absorb the excess grease and chop it into small pieces.
- Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner cuts. Season both sides with salt and pepper. In the same skillet, use the reserved bacon grease to cook the chicken for about 4 minutes on each side until fully cooked. Once done, slice the chicken into thin strips.
For Assembly:
- In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta with the chicken strips, chopped bacon, diced bell pepper, finely chopped onion, and parsley. Drizzle the ranch dressing on top and gently toss to combine the ingredients evenly.
- You can serve the salad immediately, or for a colder dish, let it chill in the refrigerator for a bit before serving.