When I was in college I LOVED chicken bacon ranch pizza so this salad is a lighter version of those same combination of flavors. This chopped chicken bacon ranch salad is made with fresh greens, crispy chicken, lean turkey bacon, gluten free pasta and tossed with ranch vinaigrette dressing! Not only is it super easy to make, but it comes together in 30 minutes!
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.
How to make a perfect salad
This chopped chicken bacon ranch salad is a LOADED salad. My foolproof method for a fantastic salad is having just as many toppings as greens, and this salad is exactly that. I know salads have a bad reputation, but if follow my foolproof method you can build a good one with any toppings! Trust me, no boring salads are made in my kitchen.
What Makes this Gluten free Recipe Special?
- The best part about this chicken bacon ranch 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 salad. You can use dairy free cheese and dairy free ranch for an easy dairy free recipe!
- This gluten free salad is loaded with veggies, protein, and healthy fats.
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.
Bacon: You can use lean turkey bacon like I did, or regular bacon. If you are in a pinch, you can use store-bought bacon bits in this chicken bacon ranch 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!
Greens: I used romaine lettuce since I like the crunch but any greens will work here! You can choose from arugula, butter lettuce, green leaf lettuce, etc.
Pasta: Instead of croutons, I used gluten free pasta here to give it more depth and make it heartier. You can use any pasta you want! To make this a gluten free 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 Ranch Salad won’t be as good.
How do I make this recipe?
First I make my gluten free pasta. I cook it according to the package directions until it’s al dente, meaning firm to the bite, not mushy. I usually cook it for 1 minute less than the suggested time.
Next, I drain the gluten free pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking. This will also prevent it from sticking.
While the pasta cooks, I preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Air fry the gluten-free chicken tenders and turkey bacon according to their package directions, then let them cool slightly before cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
While everything is cooking, I wash and chop the romaine lettuce. I dice the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces.
In a large bowl, I combine the cooked pasta, bacon, chicken, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and cucumbers. Then top with ranch, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Toss gently to combine everything and chill the Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips & Tricks
The chicken bacon ranch 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 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 salad! Got red onion? Throw that in too!
How Can I save Time Making this Recipe?
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.
Should I serve this hot or cold?
I love serving this chicken bacon ranch salad cold as classic 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.
Can I use a different dressing?
Yes! Of course! Use any dressing you have on hand. I like mixing a creamy dressing that has a lot of flavor with a little olive oil to make it more of a vinegarette. You can also use a balsamic vinaigrette, a greek vinaigrette or a caesar vinaigrette.
How can I make this Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad spicy?
To give this a little bit of a kick I love to add a dash of hot sauce to the ranch dressing. You can also add a little taco seasoning or a pinch of sriracha for a different flavor profile. The options are endless!
How do I Store and Meal Prep this recipe?
To store, I add the chicken bacon ranch 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 salad recipe.
How do I prep this Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad in advance?
To prep this Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad in advance whether you are making it for meal prep or to bring to a BBQ or party, I like to chop up all the ingredients, cook the chicken and bacon and store everything in separate containers. This way it doesn’t get soggy. Then, when I am ready to eat or serve I just add everything to a large bowl and dress with the ranch! That way the salad tastes fresh!
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 Salad (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 2 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup gluten-free chicken tenders chopped
- 2 pieces turkey bacon diced
- 1 cup gluten free pasta
- 2 tbsp low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cucumbers diced
For the dressing:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbs ranch dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a 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.
- While the pasta is cooking, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Next, air fry the gluten-free chicken tenders and turkey bacom according to package directions.
- Once cooked through, let them cool slightly and then chop them on a cutting board into small bite-sized pieces.
- 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.
- Top with ranch and olive oil. 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.
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