Description
Summer’s favorite chicken ranch pasta salad delivers fresh flavors and creamy textures in one satisfying dish. Ranch dressing and tender chicken create a crowd-pleasing meal you can enjoy at picnics or summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Oil:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Marinate diced chicken with olive oil and seasonings, ensuring each piece is well-coated and set aside to absorb flavors.
- Prepare pasta in boiling water according to package directions until al dente, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking process.
- Chop fresh vegetables including cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion into uniform bite-sized pieces for consistent texture.
- Shred or cube cheddar cheese to distribute evenly throughout the pasta salad.
- Create creamy ranch dressing by whisking together ranch dressing, sour cream, mayonnaise, and complementary seasonings until smooth and well-blended.
- Combine cooled pasta, prepared vegetables, cheese, and seasoned chicken in a large mixing bowl.
- Drizzle ranch dressing over the mixture, gently folding ingredients to ensure complete and even coating without crushing delicate components.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and dill for added herbal brightness and visual appeal.
- Refrigerate the salad for minimum 30 minutes at 40°F to allow flavors to meld and enhance overall taste profile.
- Before serving, give the salad a quick toss to redistribute dressing and restore vibrant appearance.
Notes
- Quickly pat chicken dry before seasoning to help spices adhere better and prevent watery texture.
- Opt for rotisserie chicken as a time-saving alternative when you’re short on cooking time.
- Swap regular pasta with gluten-free or whole wheat options to accommodate dietary preferences and boost nutritional value.
- Cool pasta completely before mixing to prevent dressing from becoming runny and maintain salad’s crisp texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg