Description
Crack Chicken Pasta Salad is a deliciously comforting dish that combines tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and vibrant vegetables, all enveloped in a creamy ranch dressing atop perfectly cooked pasta. This salad is not only quick to prepare but also incredibly versatile—ideal for picnics, potlucks, or as a hearty weeknight dinner option. With its rich flavors and satisfying textures, it’s guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering. Whether served as a main course or alongside other dishes, this crowd-pleaser will leave your guests coming back for more.
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 the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and transfer to a mixing 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 (about 8 minutes per side). Let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting into pieces.
- In the bowl with pasta, combine chicken, crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, green onions, cherry tomatoes, and ranch dressing. Toss until well mixed.
- Garnish with additional green onions if desired and serve chilled or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg