Description
Crack Chicken Pasta Salad is an irresistible dish that combines tender, shredded chicken and crispy bacon with a creamy ranch dressing. Served on a bed of perfectly cooked pasta, this salad is bursting with flavor and texture, making it ideal for any gathering or weeknight dinner. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or looking for a comforting family meal, this versatile salad promises to be a crowd-pleaser. With its quick preparation time and customizable ingredients, Crack Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect solution for busy weeknights or potluck parties.
Ingredients
- 1 lb bow tie pasta or elbow macaroni
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 10 slices cooked bacon (crumbled)
- 1.5 cups 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 set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika, and cook until golden brown (about 8 minutes per side). Let rest for 10 minutes before cutting into pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, crumbled bacon, cheese cubes, green onions, halved cherry tomatoes, and ranch dressing. Toss until well mixed and season to taste.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg