Rich chicken, bacon, ranch and veggies tossed with pasta deliver a cooling, flavorful dish for gatherings.
# The Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
02 - 6 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
→ Pasta
03 - 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
06 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
→ Dairy & Dressing
08 - 3/4 cup ranch dressing
09 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
10 - 1/3 cup sour cream
11 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
→ Herbs & Seasonings
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Prepare the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse thoroughly under cold water to halt cooking. Set aside to cool completely.
02 - Cook the bacon in a skillet or oven until crisp. Remove and crumble into bite-sized pieces. Set aside on paper towels to drain excess fat.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ranch dressing, mayonnaise, sour cream, salt, and black pepper to create a creamy dressing.
04 - Add the cooled pasta, cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, thawed peas, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped chives into the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss until all components are evenly coated.
05 - Sample and adjust seasoning if necessary. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
06 - Garnish with extra chives or shredded cheese if desired. Serve cold for best results.
