Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad – A Busy Day Lifesaver! 🌟

As a parent, finding quick and delicious meals that please the whole family can be a challenge—especially when dealing with picky eaters. My Bacon Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad is a fantastic solution for those hectic days. It’s easy to whip up, packed with flavor, and perfect for summer outings to the zoo, the beach, or even a camping trip.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is an epitome of convenience. Not only does it come together in about 30 minutes, but it also uses ingredients that you probably have in your pantry. Plus, it’s Trim Healthy Mama S compliant, making it suitable for those on a low-carb or healthy eating journey!

Kid-Friendly and Customizable

What makes this dish even better is its versatility. You can easily customize it to suit your family’s tastes. My kids love the combination of tasty bacon, tender chicken, and a creamy ranch flavor. And if you have a veggie lover or a kid you’re trying to sneak some greens into, feel free to add chopped cucumbers, bell peppers, or any veggies you have on hand!

I drizzled a little of this ranch dressing on top of our bowls.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious and satisfying pasta salad:

• 1 to 1.5 pounds of chicken breasts
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1/2 box of on-plan pasta of choice (I use Dreamfields)
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup precooked bacon (I used the one from Costco and use as much as you want)
• 1 to 2 cups of chopped grape tomatoes
• 1 cup of shredded cheese
• Optional: 1 to 2 cups of chopped cucumbers (I omitted this due to my hubby’s preference)

For the Sauce:

• 1.5 cups non-fat Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons of mayo
• 1 package of ranch seasoning (or to taste)

Directions

1. Cook the Chicken:
   • Begin by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and ranch seasoning.
   • Grill, bake, or pan-fry the chicken until cooked through (about 15-20 minutes depending on thickness). Allow it to rest before cutting it into bite-sized pieces.
2. Prepare the Pasta:
   • While the chicken is cooking, prepare your choice of pasta (I usually opt for Dreamfields). Cook according to package instructions, then drain and let cool.
3. Prepare the Sauce:
   • In a mixing bowl, combine the non-fat Greek yogurt, mayo, and ranch seasoning. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
4. Mix It Up:
   • In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, pasta, diced onion, chopped grape tomatoes, shredded cheese, and pre-cooked bacon.
   • Pour the sauce over the mixture and toss everything together until well combined. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
5. Serve and Enjoy:
   • Chill in the refrigerator if you want it cold. This salad can be enjoyed immediately or stored in the fridge until you’re ready to take it on the go!

I did place of base of lettuce in the bottom of our bowls, just for a little more veg for our day.

Perfect for Summer Days

As the weather warms up, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. This Bacon Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad is ideal for those hot summer days when you want something refreshing but satisfying. Whether you’re packing a picnic for a day out or seeking a quick family dinner, this salad has you covered.

Final Thoughts

Make your summer meal prep a breeze with this easy and delicious Bacon Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad. Your picky eaters will love it, and you’ll appreciate how simple it is to throw together!

So grab your ingredients, whip this up, and enjoy your summer adventures without the stress of mealtime prep!

Feel free to customize any part of this blog post further to match your style! Happy cooking and sharing! 🍴🌿

Print Pin

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Diet Diabetic, Low Fat

Author Jennifer Overstreet

Ingredients

• 1- 1 1/2 Lb Chicken Breast
• 1-2 C Diced grape Tomatoes
• 1 C Diced Onion
• 1-2 C Diced Cucumbers
• 1 C Shredded Cheese
• 1/4-1/3 C Precooked Bacon
• 1/2 Box Pasta, cooked and rinsed with cold water
• 1 1/2 C Non-fat Greek Yogurt
• 2 T Mayonnaise
• 1 Pckt Ranch seasoning, or homemade, to taste

Instructions

• Slice your chicken breasts into long pieces (I cut them into 3 or 4 pieces). Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and ranch.
  
• In a large skillet over medium heat, place your chicken breast. Season the other side of the chicken while in the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes (this is going to depend on the thickness of the chicken).
  
• Flip the chicken. top with a large lid. Cook for about 5 more minutes.
  
• Cook and rinse your pasta. I like to cook the pasta in salted water.
  
• Dice your chicken into pieces. I made them pretty small.
  
• Add the pasta salad ingredients to a bowl (use a big enough bowl, I clearly did not).
  
• Mix yogurt, mayo, and ranch seasoning. Add to bowl. Taste and see if you need to add more seasonings.
  
• Serve as desired. I placed ours on a bed of lettuce and drizzled with a little light ranch.