Crack Chicken Pasta Salad
Crack Chicken Pasta Salad is a delightful dish that brings together tender, shredded chicken and creamy ranch dressing, all tossed with al dente pasta for a hearty meal. This vibrant salad features crispy turkey bacon, fresh cherry tomatoes, and green onions, making it not only flavorful but also visually appealing. Perfect for family gatherings, casual picnics, or as a quick weeknight dinner, this versatile recipe is sure to satisfy everyone at your table. Best of all, it’s easy to prepare in just 30 minutes and can be made ahead of time for convenient meal prep!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Boiling, Searing, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb bow tie pasta or elbow macaroni
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 10 slices cooked turkey bacon (crumbled)
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese (cubed)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/4 cup green onions (chopped)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a mixing bowl.
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until golden and fully cooked through (about 8 minutes per side). Let rest for 10 minutes before cutting into pieces.
- Add the chicken pieces to the bowl with pasta along with crumbled turkey bacon, cheese cubes, green onions, halved cherry tomatoes, and ranch dressing. Toss well to combine.
- Garnish with additional chopped green onions if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 530mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 78mg
Find it online: https://juliaflavors.com/crack-chicken-pasta-salad/