Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad (Printer-Friendly Version)

Smoky bacon, juicy chicken, crisp lettuce, and creamy ranch meet pasta for a cool, bold meal.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Salad Base

01 - 300 g chicken breast or tenderloins, diced
02 - 120 g romaine lettuce, shredded
03 - 120 g bacon, thick-cut, diced
04 - 250 g rotini or fusili pasta, high-protein or whole grain
05 - 100 g sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
06 - 30 g green onions, sliced

→ Dressings & Seasonings

07 - 150 ml ranch dressing
08 - 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning or Italian seasoning
09 - 1 tablespoon Salad Supreme seasoning (optional)
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Toppings

11 - 50 g bakery-style croutons, chopped

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Dice bacon and gently cook in a large pan over low heat for 10–12 minutes until crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons pan drippings.
02 - Rub chicken with olive oil and coat with poultry or Italian seasoning. Sear in the reserved bacon drippings over medium-low heat, 3–4 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Let rest, then dice.
03 - In a large pot of salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain thoroughly.
04 - In a large bowl, mix drained pasta, diced chicken, shredded cheddar, crisp bacon, and sliced green onions. Pour in most of the ranch dressing and toss until well coated.
05 - Add Salad Supreme seasoning and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
06 - Just before serving, gently fold in shredded romaine lettuce, chopped croutons, and reserved ranch. Toss lightly to maintain crunch.

# Handy Cooking Tips:

01 - For optimum texture, add lettuce and croutons immediately before serving.
02 - Rinse pasta under cold water to prevent it from becoming gummy.
03 - Sharp cheddar delivers tang and depth—extra-sharp varieties are preferred for flavor retention.
04 - Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping lettuce and croutons separate.
05 - Swap for gluten-free pasta and turkey bacon to accommodate dietary preferences.

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