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Flavorful BBQ Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad

BBQ ranch chicken pasta salad - featured image
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A quick and easy summer potluck dish combining smoky BBQ sauce and creamy ranch dressing with pasta, chicken, and fresh veggies for a crowd-pleasing salad.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz elbow macaroni or rotini pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (grilled or rotisserie)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (optional garnish)
  • Extra shredded cheddar or crumbled bacon (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz elbow macaroni and cook according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes) until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain fully, about 5 minutes.
  2. Shred or dice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the red onion and green bell pepper, and slice the olives if using.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup ranch dressing, 1/4 cup BBQ sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chicken, cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, and olives. Pour the dressing over the top.
  5. Gently toss everything together with a large spoon or spatula, ensuring the dressing coats all ingredients evenly without mashing the pasta or veggies.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2-3 hours, to let flavors meld.
  7. Before serving, garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro and optionally add extra shredded cheddar or crumbled bacon.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; al dente is best. Use grilled or rotisserie chicken for best flavor. Toss gently to avoid mashing ingredients. Chill at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Adjust dressing quantity if salad thickens after chilling. For gluten-free, swap pasta with gluten-free pasta or quinoa. For dairy-free, use dairy-free ranch and BBQ sauces. Add jalapeño or cayenne for a spicy kick.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ ranch chicken pasta salad, summer potluck, easy pasta salad, BBQ chicken salad, creamy ranch dressing, quick pasta salad

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/flavorful-bbq-ranch-chicken-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-summer-potluck-dish/