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Creamy Chicken BLT Pasta Salad with Ranch Dressing

A close-up of creamy chicken BLT pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, chicken chunks, bacon bits, and cherry tomatoes.
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Make this satisfying Chicken BLT Pasta Salad for your next gathering. It combines cooked chicken, crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, and crisp lettuce in a creamy ranch dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini or medium shell pasta
  • 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk or milk
  • 1/4 cup prepared ranch dressing mix packet
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside in a large bowl.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the dressing. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, ranch dressing mix, white wine vinegar, sugar, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
  3. Add the cooked chicken, halved tomatoes, and crumbled bacon to the cooled pasta. Gently toss to combine.
  4. Pour about three-quarters of the dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss well to coat everything evenly.
  5. If using, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
  6. Cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. This is a good make ahead chicken salad step.
  7. Just before serving, gently fold in the chopped romaine lettuce. Add more dressing if the salad seems dry.
  8. Serve this picnic perfect pasta salad cold.

Notes

  • For the best texture, do not add the lettuce until right before serving to keep it crisp.
  • You can substitute the ranch dressing mix with 1/2 cup of your favorite store-bought creamy dressing.
  • If you prefer a lighter salad, use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise in the dressing base.
  • This cold chicken pasta dish is excellent for potlucks because it holds up well when kept chilled.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/chicken-blt-pasta-salad/