Description
A delightful and satisfying pasta salad that combines tender grilled chicken, crispy smoky turkey bacon, and a creamy, tangy ranch dressing. Perfectly suited for family picnics, quick weeknight dinners, or school lunches, this dish uses bowtie pasta to ensure every bite is coated in dressing. With a balance of sharp cheddar and fresh vegetables, it is a high-protein, crowd-pleasing meal that remains inclusive for everyone by substituting traditional pork with flavorful turkey bacon.
Ingredients
16 oz bowtie or rotini pasta
2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
8 strips turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled
1.5 cups ranch dressing
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
4 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente.
Drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and remove starch.
Fry the turkey bacon in a skillet until crisp then drain on paper towels and crumble.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced chicken, and crumbled turkey bacon.
Add the shredded cheddar, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced green onions.
Pour two-thirds of the ranch dressing over the mixture and toss to coat.
Add additional dressing as desired and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If the salad appears dry after chilling, stir in an extra tablespoon of ranch dressing before serving.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Boiling and Pan-frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 65mg