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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is a creamy, savory, and satisfying dish that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, and easy meals. It’s highly customizable, offering a delicious combination of protein, veggies, and pasta in a flavorful ranch dressing.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
35 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breasts or tenderloins diced into 2-inch pieces
  • 7 oz container of romaine lettuce shredded
  • 8 strips of bacon diced
  • 8 oz dry rotini or fusilli pasta high-protein or whole grain options can be used
  • 6 oz cheddar cheese shredded
  • 5 green onions diced
  • ¾ cup ranch dressing homemade or store-bought
  • 1 –2 tablespoons poultry seasoning such as Weber Kick’n Chicken or Italian seasoning
  • Pinch of Perfect Salad Supreme to taste
  • ½ cup croutons roughly chopped

Instructions
 

  • In a large pan, cook the bacon over low heat until crispy, then set aside. Remove half of the pan drippings, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan.
  • Rub the chicken with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and generously season with your preferred seasoning. Cook in the skillet over medium-low heat for 3–4 minutes per side, or until fully cooked.
  • While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Rinse the pasta with cool water and drain thoroughly.
  • In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced chicken, shredded cheddar, crispy bacon, and diced green onions. Pour in most of the dressing, reserving some, and toss until well coated. Sprinkle in the Salad Supreme seasoning to taste—I usually do about 8–10 shakes.
  • Just before serving, add the shredded romaine lettuce, croutons, and the remaining dressing, then toss everything together.

Notes

Low-Fat Greek Yogurt Ranch

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and whisk until smooth:
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon each of dried dill, dried chives, dried parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1–2 tablespoons buttermilk or milk, as needed

For Meal Prep

To prepare this ahead of time, wait to add the romaine and croutons until just before serving. When packing for lunch, store the pasta salad in a container and keep the romaine separate in a zip-top bag. The croutons and extra dressing can be placed in small condiment containers for easy assembly. For visual inspiration, refer to the photos in the blog post above.