Description
Crack Chicken Pasta Salad is a creamy, flavorful dish that brings together tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh veggies over perfectly cooked pasta. Tossed in a rich ranch dressing, this salad is not only easy to prepare but also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings. Its unique combination of flavors and textures makes it an ideal choice for any occasion.
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
- Salt, pepper, and paprika for seasoning
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook seasoned chicken breasts until golden brown and fully cooked (about 8 minutes per side). Let rest for 10 minutes before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine the pasta, chicken, crumbled bacon, cheese cubes, green onions, halved cherry tomatoes, and ranch dressing in the mixing bowl. Toss until well mixed. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
- Garnish with chopped green onions and serve chilled.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling/Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg