Description
BBQ Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad is a delightful blend of pasta, shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing, enhanced with fresh vegetables. It’s perfect for summer gatherings or a quick weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (preferably BBQ-flavored)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup corn (canned or frozen, thawed)
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- Optional: diced bell peppers, avocado, or cilantro for added flavor
Instructions
Mixing the Dressing
Start by combining the BBQ sauce and ranch dressing in a small bowl. Whisk them together until they’re well-incorporated and the dressing has a smooth, creamy consistency.
Assembling the Salad
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, shredded chicken, shredded cheese, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro. Pour the BBQ ranch dressing over the top and gently toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated.
Chilling Before Serving
For the best flavor and texture, refrigerate the BBQ Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the dressing to fully coat the pasta and other ingredients. When ready to serve, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the dressing.
Notes
This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and ensure your dressings are gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 40mg