Description
BBQ Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad is a delightful fusion of textures and flavors that embodies the essence of summer gatherings. This dish has quickly gained popularity due to its perfect blend of smoky BBQ notes and creamy ranch dressing.
Ingredients
- 12 ounce short pasta, such as rotini, penne, or bowtie
- 2 cup cooked or grilled chicken, chopped
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup corn, fresh, canned, or grilled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced or diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
Instructions
1. Begin by boiling the short pasta in salted water until it reaches an al dente texture, following the package directions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and let it cool slightly.
2. Next, take your cooked or grilled chicken and toss it in a mixing bowl with the BBQ sauce.
3. In a significantly-sized bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the BBQ chicken, crumbled bacon, corn, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and fresh cilantro.
4. Pour the ranch dressing over the assembled salad and toss everything until well coated. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for a short while before serving.
Notes
To elevate your BBQ Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad even further, consider these handy tips:
– Choosing short pasta varieties like rotini or bowtie for better ingredient adherence.
– Experimenting with different brands of BBQ sauces and homemade ranch dressing for enhanced flavor.
– Adding optional ingredients like avocado, bell peppers, or black beans for extra nutrition.
– Serving suggestions include colorful bowls or individual cup topped with crispy fried onions or jalapeños.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg