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    Home » Recipes » Salad

    Best Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

    Published: Mar 23, 2022 · Modified: May 19, 2022 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad pin image.

    A tasty and filling cold chicken bacon ranch pasta salad recipe perfect for BBQs, summer picnics, or an easy al fresco lunch!

    It's creamy, herby, and bursting with cooked chicken, crispy bacon pieces, grated cheddar cheese, salad veggies, and best of all a delicious homemade ranch dressing made with mayonnaise and sour cream.

    Chicken bacon ranch pasta salad in a serving dish.

    This is a real crowd-pleaser of a pasta salad and is loved by both kids and adults alike. Best of all the chicken and bacon pasta salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge until needed. It really is just perfect for lazy summer days!

    👩‍🍳 Have you seen my creamy tuna pasta salad? Another delicious summer salad recipe to try!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why should you try it?
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 How to make cold chicken bacon pasta salad
    • 💭 Top tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ FAQs
    • 😋Related recipes
    • Recipe
    • Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why should you try it?

    • Easy to make chicken pasta salad recipe.
    • A great way of using up leftover cooked chicken.
    • Creamy and filling.
    • Make-ahead up to 2 days.
    • Perfect for summer BBQs and picnics.

    🥘 Ingredients

    Ingredients to make chicken and bacon pasta salad.
    • Pasta - any short pasta would work well. I used conchiglie but penne or fusilli could also be used.
    • Cooked Chicken Breasts - cut into chunks. Buy them ready-cooked to save time or why not try this quick air fryer chicken recipe!
    • Smoked Streaky Bacon - grilled and chopped. You could use back bacon if you prefer.
    • Spring Onions - outer layer removed and chopped finely. You could use red onion instead.
    • Cherry Tomatoes - halved, or use 2 large vine tomatoes cut into chunks.
    • Red Pepper - chopped into chunks (or use a yellow or orange pepper).
    • Cucumber - halved and diced. I keep the skin on but feel free to peel it if you want to.
    • Grated Cheddar - an extra mature cheddar gives the best flavour.

    For the homemade ranch dressing;

    • Mayonnaise
    • Soured Cream
    • Parsley
    • Dill
    • Lemon Juice
    • Garlic
    • Salt & Pepper

    🔪 How to make cold chicken bacon pasta salad

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    1. Mix together the ranch dressing ingredients in a bowl.
    2. Place the cooked pasta, cooked chicken chunks, grilled bacon pieces, salad vegetables, and grated cheddar in a large mixing bowl.
    3. Pour over the ranch dressing.
    4. Mix gently to coat the pasta and salad vegetables. Store in the fridge until needed.
    Step by step photo instructions for making the chicken bacon pasta salad.

    💭 Top tips

    • Use store-bought ranch dressing to save time. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to store-bought dressing and check the seasoning is OK.
    • Use leftover roast chicken in the pasta salad, instead of cooked chicken breasts.
    • If you're not serving this pasta salad straight away, save a dollop of the dressing to spoon through it when you are ready to eat!

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    This chicken and bacon ranch pasta salad is perfect for BBQs, picnics, and alfresco summer lunches. I often serve it alongside my curried rice salad, 5 bean salad, and prawn and avocado salad.

    My kids love it with these cheesy courgette fritters or carrot fritters for an easy meal. I think it has to be their favourite summer dinner!

    📖 Variations

    • Use different salad vegetables such as celery, radishes or fennel. You could also add cooked peas or sweetcorn.
    • Add a sliced ripe avocado to make a chicken bacon avocado pasta salad.
    • Lower the fat content by using low-fat mayonnaise.
    • Make a healthy chicken bacon pasta salad and use wholewheat pasta and a lighter vinaigrette dressing.
    • Add a sprinkling of dried cranberries for a chewy sweetness or some toasted nuts for crunch.
    Chicken bacon ranch pasta salad.

    🥡 Storage

    The pasta salad will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Unfortunately, this recipe is not suitable for freezing.

    ❓ FAQs

    What can I serve with pasta salad?

    Some of my favourite dishes to serve with pasta salad are;
    Grilled meat and fish
    Burgers or hotdogs
    Corn on the Cob
    Courgette Fritters
    Sandwiches or Toasties
    Celery and Carrot sticks

    Is chicken good in pasta salad?

    Yes! Cooked chicken adds protein and ensures your pasta salad is filling and hearty.

    Is cold pasta salad safe to eat?

    As long as the pasta salad has been stored in the fridge, the pasta salad will be safe to eat for up to 3 days. Make sure any leftovers are returned to the fridge within 30 minutes.

    Chicken and bacon pasta salad in a serving bowl.

    😋Related recipes

    More summer recipes to enjoy!

    Spicy Potato Salad
    Baby potato salad.
    A spicy potato salad made with baby potatoes in a creamy sriracha, lime, and honey dressing.
    Servings => 6
    Takes => 24 minutes
    Calories per serving => 157
    Get the recipe
    Baked Feta Pasta with Tomatoes and Courgettes
    Baked feta pasta.
    I've taken the famous TikTok baked feta pasta recipe and stepped it up a notch with this easy baked feta pasta with cherry tomatoes, courgettes, and roast garlic!
    Servings => 4
    Takes => 40 minutes
    Calories per serving => 800
    Get the recipe
    Easy Curried Rice Salad
    Curried rice salad on a white serving platter.
    An easy and fruity curried rice salad recipe made with green apples, dried cranberries, chopped bell peppers, and crunchy toasted cashew nuts.
    Servings => 8
    Takes => 15 minutes
    Calories per serving => 263
    Get the recipe

    You might also like my easy coronation chicken pasta salad recipe!

    Tried this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating in the comments!

    Recipe

    Chicken bacon pasta salad.
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    5 from 6 votes

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

    A tasty and filling chicken bacon ranch pasta salad recipe perfect for BBQ's, summer picnics, or an easy al fresco lunch!
    Course Salad
    Cuisine British
    Keyword chicken and bacon pasta salad, chicken bacon ranch pasta salad
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes
    Servings 6
    Calories 453kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Saucepan
    • Chopping Board
    • Knife
    • Mixing Bowl
    • Wooden Spoon

    Ingredients

    • 250 g Cooked Pasta
    • 2 Cooked Chicken Breasts cut into chunks
    • 6 Grilled Streaky Bacon Rashers chopped
    • 4 Spring Onions chopped
    • 10 Cherry Tomatoes halved
    • ¼ Cucumber diced
    • 1 Red Pepper chopped
    • 100 g Cheddar Cheese grated

    For the ranch dressing

    • 200 g Mayonnaise
    • 100 ml Sour Cream
    • 2 tablespoon Parsley finely chopped
    • 2 tablespoon Dill finely chopped
    • 1 Lemon juice only
    • 1 Garlic Clove peeled and finely chopped
    • Salt and Pepper

    Instructions

    • Mix together the ranch dressing ingredients in a bowl.
    • Place the cooked pasta, cooked chicken chunks, grilled bacon pieces, salad vegetables, and grated cheddar in a large mixing bowl.
    • Pour over the ranch dressing and mix to combine. Store in the fridge until needed.

    Video

    Notes

    Top Tips:
    • Use store-bought ranch dressing to save time. I would suggest adding a squeeze of lemon juice to store-bought dressing and check the seasoning is OK.
    • Use leftover roast chicken in the pasta salad, instead of chicken breasts.
    • If you're not serving this pasta salad straight away, save a dollop of the dressing to spoon through when you are ready to eat!
     
    Variations:
    • Use different salad vegetables such as celery, radishes or fennel. You could also add cooked peas or sweetcorn.
    • Lower the fat content by using low-fat mayonnaise.
    • Up the fiber by using wholewheat pasta.
    • Add a sprinkling of dried cranberries for a chewy sweetness or some toasted nuts for crunch.
     
    Nutrition: 
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    453
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    28
    g
    43
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    10
    g
    63
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    1
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    7
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    9
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    95
    mg
    32
    %
    Sodium
     
    560
    mg
    24
    %
    Potassium
     
    437
    mg
    12
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    22
    g
    7
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    4
    g
    4
    %
    Protein
     
    29
    g
    58
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1289
    IU
    26
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    45
    mg
    55
    %
    Calcium
     
    173
    mg
    17
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    More Easy Salad Recipes

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jenny

      June 08, 2021 at 3:55 pm

      5 stars
      You can't go wrong with chicken+bacon+Ranch! I love having pasta salads like this in my refrigerator for any easy lunch.

      Reply
    2. Anjali

      June 08, 2021 at 4:17 pm

      5 stars
      This pasta salad was so easy to make and so satisfying and creamy! Made it for our family picnic this past weekend and everyone loved it!

      Reply
    3. Wanda

      June 08, 2021 at 4:34 pm

      5 stars
      This salad has summer written all over it! Going to make it this weekend!

      Reply
    4. Sarah Baumeister

      June 08, 2021 at 4:43 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! Hubbies going to love this.

      Reply
    5. Beth

      June 08, 2021 at 5:21 pm

      5 stars
      This is a complete meal in a bowl. So delicious and creamy. My family loved the dressing too!

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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