Description
Crack Chicken Pasta Salad is a creamy and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a family dinner or a picnic. Combining tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh veggies with ranch dressing over al dente pasta, this recipe is not only quick to prepare but also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. In just 30 minutes, you can create a delightful salad that’s both satisfying and versatile. Serve it as a hearty main course or as a side at your next gathering; it’s sure to impress everyone at the table!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb bow tie pasta or elbow macaroni
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 10 slices cooked bacon (crumbled)
- 1 ½ cup cheddar cheese (cubed)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- Green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook for about 8 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Let rest before cutting into pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the pasta, chicken, crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes, and ranch dressing. Toss well to combine.
- Garnish with green onions before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 405
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 630mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 79mg