How do you make chicken and bacon salad?

To make a classic chicken and bacon salad, start by cooking boneless, skinless chicken breasts until golden and juicy, then dice them into bite-sized pieces. Crisp up turkey bacon and crumble it for texture. Combine these with your favorite cooked pasta — gemelli or penne work well — and toss everything in a creamy ranch dressing . Add chopped chives or green onions for a fresh finish. This creates a well-balanced salad with protein, crunch, and tang in every bite.

How long is chicken bacon ranch good for?

Chicken bacon ranch pasta salad keeps well for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. For best quality, chill it promptly after preparation and avoid leaving it out at room temperature for more than two hours. To refresh leftovers, add a tablespoon of ranch dressing and give it a gentle stir before serving.

What does the chicken and bacon ranch melt have?

A chicken and bacon ranch melt typically includes grilled or shredded chicken, crispy bacon, melted cheddar or mozzarella cheese, and ranch dressing layered inside sandwich bread or a roll. It’s toasted or grilled until golden and gooey — like a hot sandwich version of this salad. You can use leftovers from the pasta salad as filling for a creative and satisfying melt.

How long is ranch pasta salad good for?

When properly stored in the fridge, ranch pasta salad is good for up to 4 days . Always use fresh dressing and cooked proteins, and be sure to cool the pasta before mixing. If you're transporting it, keep it cold with ice packs or a chilled container to maintain freshness.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad – 1 Creamy Power Meal

Description

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad is creamy, quick, and perfect for meal prep or summer picnics. Ready in 25 minutes.

Ingredients

1 lb gemelli or penne pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup chopped turkey bacon (cooked and crumbled)
1/2 cup ranch dressing
2 tablespoons freshly chopped chives
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook for about 8 minutes per side, or until golden and fully cooked through. Let rest for 10 minutes, then cut into 1-inch pieces.
Add the cooked pasta, diced chicken, turkey bacon, and ranch dressing to the bowl. Toss until everything is evenly coated. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Garnish with chopped chives just before serving.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Pasta and Grain Salads
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American