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    Home » Recipes » Dish Type » Salads

    Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

    Published: May 6, 2023 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Jul 10, 2023 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    chicken bacon ranch pasta salad being lifted out of a flowered bowl with salad utensils

    This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is easy, delicious, healthy, and an entire meal in one bowl - I love salads that can be eaten as a main course! With a tangy creamy ranch dressing and vermicelli noodles, this salad is a unique and tasty summer salad!

    chicken bacon ranch pasta salad being lifted out of a flowered bowl with salad utensils

    This cold pasta salad recipe is popular in the summer, but great any time of the year for family gatherings or bringing along to a potluck dinner or summer barbecue. This was inspired by my Thai Chicken Noodle Salad on this site and pairs well with Bread Machine Italian Breadsticks.

    Jump to:
    • 🥘Ingredients
    • 🔪Instructions
    • 📖Variations & Substitutions
    • 🍽Equipment
    • 🌡️Storage
    • 👪 Serving Size
    • 🔢WW Points
    • 💭Top tip
    • 🦺Food safety
    • 📋 Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
    • More Summer Salads

    🥘Ingredients

    You'll need the following simple ingredients for this easy pasta salad recipe:

    ingredients for chicken bacon pasta ranch salad in glass bowls, labelled
    • 8-10 slices of bacon, chopped
    • 3-4 chicken breasts, chopped
    • 16 oz Vermicelli noodles
    • 2 tomatoes
    • 1 cucumber
    • 1 green bell pepper
    • 1 yellow bell pepper
    • ½ red onion

    Salad dressing:

    • 1.5-ounces dry Ranch dressing mix (about 1 ½ packages) * I use Hidden Valley
    • ½ cup milk * I use 1 %
    • ¾ cup mayo
    • 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
    • 3 tbsp white vinegar
    • 3 tbsp olive oil
    • 3 tbsp water
    • 3 tsp Italian dressing

    🔪Instructions

    Prep: Cook chicken and bacon and set aside (See Top Tip re: bacon)

    Cook pasta until al dente, as per package directions, drain, and rinse with cold

    water.

    ranch dressing ingredients mixed together in small bowl

    Whisk all salad dressing ingredients together in a small bowl

    salad ingredients mixed together in large glass bowl with chicken in small glass bowl, on the side

    Add all salad ingredients, cooked pasta, and homemade ranch dressing together in a large mixing bowl. * You can cut the chicken into cubes/chunks and slice some to put on top, if desired. Or simply cut all the chicken into small bite-sized pieces and mix well.

    chicken bacon ranch pasta salad in a flowered bowl with white bowls in the bakground

    Garnish with parmesan cheese, if desired.

    📖Variations & Substitutions

    • Chicken - you can use chicken breast or leftover rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, or crispy chicken strips.
    • Bell Peppers - use any color you prefer- yellow, red pepper, or green peppers
    • Bacon - you can use bacon or turkey bacon or chicken bacon
    • Pasta - you can use any type of thin noodle you prefer, including angel hair pasta. Alternatively, you could use rotini pasta or another type of pasta.
    • Tomatoes - you can use any type of tomato, including Roma tomatoes, grape or cherry tomatoes
    • Onions - you can use green onions instead of red onions
    • Add-ins-you can add in black olives

    🍽Equipment

    You will need a whisk, a large salad bowl, and a pot for cooking for this chicken bacon pasta salad. You can grill the chicken, cook it in a skillet on the stovetop or in the air fryer. An instant-read thermometer is also the ideal piece of equipment for (affiliate links).

    🌡️Storage

    Store leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days.

    If you want to make this creamy pasta salad in advance, keep the vegetables, dressing, meat, and pasta in separate containers. Combine just before serving.

    These ingredients don't stand up to freezing.

    👪 Serving Size

    This yummy pasta salad recipe makes 8 servings. However, you can half, double, or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.

    chicken bacon ranch pasta salad in a small white bowl, with a fork and a large bowl of salad in background

    🔢WW Points

    You can reduce the ww points in this bacon ranch chicken pasta salad recipe by using turkey bacon and a lower point pasta or use spaghetti squash. I like to use smart pasta.

    💭Top tip

    The quickest, easiest, and least messy way to cook bacon is to buy the pre-cooked bacon at Costco. You can take slices out individually and they only take a couple of minutes in the microwave. The best part is no greasy mess!

    🦺Food safety

    • Cook chicken breast to an internal minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
    • Never leave cooking food unattended

      See more guidelines at USDA.gov 

    So if you're looking for a great summer salad for summer bbqs or potlucks, make this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad!

    And if you're looking for more pasta salads, check out my Macaroni Salad with Tuna (4 Ingredients), my Easy Japanese Cold Noodle Salad, or my Easy Spicy Peanut Pasta Salad (with leftover spaghetti noodles).

    chicken bacon ranch pasta salad being lifted out of a flowered bowl with salad utensils
    Food Meandering Logo

    📋 Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe

    This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is easy, delicious, healthy, and an entire meal in one bowl. With a creamy tangy dressing and vermicelli noodles, it's a unique and tasty summer salad!
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: dinner, lunch
    Cuisine: American, Canadian
    Keyword: bacon, chicken, pasta salad, ranch
    Special Diet: Weight Watchers
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 492kcal
    Author: Terri Gilson
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    whisk
    large skillet
    bowls

    Ingredients

    • 8-10 slices bacon
    • 3-4 chicken breasts
    • 16 oz Vermicelli noodles
    • 2 large tomatoes
    • 1 cucumber *Long English cucumber
    • 1 green bell pepper
    • 1 yellow bell pepper
    • ½ red onion

    Salad dressing

    • 1.5 ounces dry Ranch dressing mix (about 1 ½ packages) * I use Hidden Valley
    • ½ cup milk * I use 1 % milk
    • ¾ cup mayonnaise * I use Hellman's ½ the fat
    • 3 tablespoon red wine vinegar
    • 3 tablespoon white vinegar
    • 3 tablespoon olive oil
    • 3 tablespoon water
    • 3 teaspoon Italian dressing
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Cook chicken and bacon and set aside (See Top Tip re: bacon)
    • Cook pasta as per package directions, drain and cool.
    • Whisk all salad dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.
      ranch dressing ingredients mixed together in small bowl
    • Add all salad ingredients with ranch dressing together in a large bowl, and mix well. * You can cut the chicken into cubes/chunks and slice some to put on top, if desired. Or simply cut all the chicken into small bite-sized pieces.
      salad ingredients mixed together in large glass bowl with chicken in small glass bowl, on the side
    • Garnish with parmesan cheese, if desired.
      chicken bacon ranch pasta salad in a flowered bowl with white bowls in the bakground

    Notes

    Nutrition Facts
    📋 Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (1.5 cups)
    Calories 492 Calories from Fat 189
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 21g32%
    Saturated Fat 5g31%
    Trans Fat 0.05g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 5g
    Monounsaturated Fat 9g
    Cholesterol 46mg15%
    Sodium 896mg39%
    Potassium 477mg14%
    Carbohydrates 58g19%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 4g4%
    Protein 15g30%
    Vitamin A 556IU11%
    Vitamin C 48mg58%
    Calcium 49mg5%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 492kcal (25%) | Carbohydrates: 58g (19%) | Protein: 15g (30%) | Fat: 21g (32%) | Saturated Fat: 5g (31%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 46mg (15%) | Sodium: 896mg (39%) | Potassium: 477mg (14%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 4g (4%) | Vitamin A: 556IU (11%) | Vitamin C: 48mg (58%) | Calcium: 49mg (5%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
    Rate this Recipe

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    I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer, and a busy working mom who is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks, and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

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