I LOVE bringing a summer pasta salad to a BBQ, potlucks, summer get together, or even a picnic! This chicken bacon ranch pasta salad is such a crowd pleaser everytime I show up with it. I never leave a BBQ without a least 3 people asking me for the recipe!
My favorite part about a good pasta salad is how simple it is to make. It takes less than 30 minutes to throw together and is easy to prepare ahead of time. Heck I love gluten free pasta salads so much I even use them for an easy lunch meal prep!
If you love easy gluten free recipes made with chicken, you’ll love my gluten free crispy chicken salad and my air fryer gluten free chicken tenders.
Packed with tender chicken, crispy lettuce, crumbled turkey bacon, tender pasta or gluten free pasta, cucumbers, cheddar cheese, olive oil and creamy Ranch dressing, no one even knows I make this pasta salad gluten free! Just an easy swap of gluten free pasta and this chicken bacon ranch pasta salad is perfect if you eat gluten free or have celiac disease like me.
What Makes this Gluten free Recipe Special?
- The best part about this chicken bacon ranch pasta salad is that it is a one bowl meal…which means only one bowl to make it and serve it and only one bowl to clean up! My ideal situation since I hate doing dishes.
- This recipe is allergy friendly. You can use gluten free pasta like I did for gluten free pasta salad. You can use dairy free cheese and dairy free ranch for an easy dairy free recipe!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken: I love using crispy chicken in this recipe. You can make your own chicken tenders by using my air fried gluten free chicken tenders recipe or buying a store bought bag of gluten free chicken tenders to save time.
Ranch: To save time, I use store-bought Ranch dressing (Kens or Hidden Valley is my favorite brand). If you prefer making homemade, that works too! You can prepare the hoemmade dressing up to 4 days in advance.
How do I make this recipe?
Add your gluten free pasta and cook it according to the package directions until it’s al dente, meaning firm to the bite, not mushy.
Once cooked, drain the gluten free pasta in a colander and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking and prevent sticking; then toss it with one tablespoon of olive oil.
While the pasta cooks, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Cut the turkey bacon into small pieces and air fry until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, then set aside on paper towels.
Air fry the gluten-free chicken tenders according to their package directions, then let them cool slightly before cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
Wash and chop the romaine lettuce and dice the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, bacon, chicken, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and cucumbers.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil with the ranch dressing.
Finally, pour the dressing over the chicken bacon ranch pasta salad and toss gently to combine everything, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
Expert Tips & Tricks
The chicken bacon ranch pasta salad ingredient amounts can easily be cut in half to make just a few servings for a brunch or lunch meal prep, or double the recipe if you are feeding a big crowd.
One of the best things about this gluten free pasta salad recipe is that it can be adjusted based on what veggies you have in your fridge! Its a great clean-out-your-fridge meal. Got tomatoes? Throw them in the chicken bacon pasta salad! Got red onion? Throw that in too!
How Can I save Time Making this Recipe?
If you are in a pinch, you can use store-bought bacon bits in this chicken bacon ranch pasta salad. Bacon bits aren’t as good as freshly made bacon or turkey bacon but they’re a good stand in. Just make sure to buy certified gluten free bacon bits because some definitely have gluten in them.
To save on time, you can use Rotisserie chicken or any leftover meat from a previous meal or BBQ works great too! If I have leftover grilled chicken from a BBQ I love to use it up here.
What Type of Pasta should I use?
You can use any pasta you want! To make this a gluten free pasta salad I use gluten free pasta. I like to use a brown rice based pasta like Jovial or Trader Joes quinoa and brown rice pasta because it holds up better. A chickpea based pasta will get soggy quick and the leftover chicken bacon pasta salad won’t be as good.
How to I keep my pasta from getting mushy?
My pro tip to keep my pasta from getting mushy is to cook it 1 minute less than the box directions suggest. That way it is not over cooked and you can count on it still getting a little softer after sitting in the dressing.
How can I keep the pasta salad from getting too dry?
Since pasta salad is known to get dry if you’re preparing it ahead of time or using it for a meal prep, I like to add 3/4 of the dressing when preparing the chicken bacon ranch pasta salad and leave the other 1/4 of the dressing to add on fresh when serving. This will help keep the pasta salad feeling fresh, moist and keep the pasta from getting too mushy as well.
Should I serve this hot or cold?
I love serving this chicken bacon ranch pasta salad cold as classic pasta salad is usually chilled. But that is not to say you can’t serve it warm. If you have it just made and can’t wait for it to chill, eat it warm! It will be just as delicious.
How do I Store and Meal Prep this recipe?
To store, I add the chicken bacon ranch pasta salad to an airtight container for up to four days.
To meal prep into individual portions, divide into separate containers. These individual portions are my favorite for great grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners during the week.
I do not recommend freezing this chicken bacon ranch pasta salad recipe.
Looking for more gluten free recipes?
If you make this recipe and enjoyed it, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok and Pinterest. Purchase my cookbook Easy Allergy Free Cooking. Join my exclusive weeknight meal plan group for 5 weekly 30-minute dinner recipes. The weeknight meal plan also has an accompanying podcast as well! I would love for you to follow along!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 1 box gluten free pasta
- 1 package gluten-free chicken tenders
- 6 pieces turkey bacon
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 heads romaine lettuce chopped
- 1-2 cucumbers diced
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 cup ranch dressing use your favorite!
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the gluten-free pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Toss with 1 tbsp of olive oil. Set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Cut the turkey bacon into 1/2-inch pieces. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, or until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Next, air fry the gluten-free chicken tenders according to package directions. Once cooked through and golden brown, let them cool slightly and then cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- While the bacon and chicken are cooking, wash and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Dice the cucumbers.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, crispy bacon, chopped chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped romaine lettuce, and diced cucumbers.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil and the ranch dressing. This helps to create a smoother, more evenly distributed dressing. Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently until everything is well coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- For the best flavor, cover the salad and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.
Love this recipe? You can sign up here to receive easy meal plans, exclusive new recipes and updates!
Leave a Reply