Description
Crack Chicken Pasta Salad is a mouthwatering dish that brings together tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch dressing on a bed of al dente pasta. Ideal for potlucks, picnics, or quick weeknight dinners, this salad is not only simple to whip up but also loaded with flavor. Each bite offers a delightful mix of textures and tastes, making it a favorite among family and friends. Customize it with your choice of veggies or toppings to make it uniquely yours!
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 (cut into small cubes)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/4 cup green onions
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Prepare the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 8 minutes per side. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine ingredients: In the bowl with cooked pasta, add the chicken, crumbled bacon, cheese cubes, green onions, halved tomatoes, and ranch dressing. Toss well to combine; season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions if desired and enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling/Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 80mg