I love a good pasta salad, especially when it’s easy to make and packed with amazing flavors. These chicken pasta salads are perfect for family meals, quick lunches, or bringing to a gathering. Today, I’m sharing three fantastic recipes that I think you’ll really enjoy. They are simple, straightforward, and bring big tastes to your table without a lot of fuss.
Each recipe focuses on fresh ingredients and easy steps, making them a great choice for any day of the week. You’ll find a favorite here, whether you like a bit of spice, classic ranch, or a creamy pesto touch.
Jump to Recipe:
- 1. Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
- 2. Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
- 3. Easy Chicken Corn Pasta Salad With Bacon And Creamy Pesto
Easy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
This salad brings all the zesty kick of buffalo chicken into a cool and creamy pasta dish. It’s a crowd-pleaser and a great option for a quick and satisfying meal.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Buffalo Pasta Salad
- Buffalo Sauce: Use your favorite brand of buffalo sauce for the best flavor. It gives this pasta salad its signature spicy tang.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles: A must-have for that classic buffalo pairing. It adds a lovely sharpness that balances the heat.
- Rotisserie Chicken: Using pre-cooked chicken makes prep super fast. Just shred it and add it to the mix.
What You Need for Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- 8 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 celery stalk, diced
- 1/4 red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 25 minutes🍽️ Yields: 6 servings
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook and Cool Pasta
Cook your penne or rotini pasta according to package directions until it’s al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down.
Step 2: Prepare Ingredients
While the pasta cools, shred or cube your cooked chicken. Dice the celery and finely dice the red onion. Get all your ingredients ready for mixing.
Step 3: Mix the Dressing
In a large mixing bowl, combine the buffalo sauce and ranch dressing. Whisk them together until they are smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
Add the cooled pasta, shredded chicken, diced celery, diced red onion, and blue cheese crumbles to the bowl with the dressing. Gently stir everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
📝 Final Note
This salad tastes even better after chilling in the fridge for at least an hour. This lets the flavors blend together nicely before you serve it.
Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad Recipe
If you like chicken, bacon, and ranch, you’ll love this easy pasta salad. It’s creamy, hearty, and full of classic flavors that everyone enjoys, making it a reliable meal.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
- Crispy Bacon: Cook bacon until it’s nice and crispy, then crumble it into small pieces. This adds a great texture and depth of flavor.
- Quality Ranch Dressing: Use a good quality bottled ranch dressing for the best creamy base and authentic flavor.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: This adds a nice, familiar cheesy element that complements the other ingredients well.
What You Need for Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 20 minutes🍽️ Yields: 6 servings
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook and Cool Pasta
Cook your rotini pasta according to package instructions until it’s tender. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down completely. Set aside.
Step 2: Prepare Add-ins
Dice the cooked chicken into small pieces. Crumble the crispy bacon. Slice the green onions thinly.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Dressing
In a large bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing and mayonnaise until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Add the cooled pasta, diced chicken, crumbled bacon, sliced green onions, and shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl with the dressing. Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
📝 Final Note
For a little extra flavor, you can add a pinch of garlic powder or a dash of onion powder to the dressing mixture.
Easy Chicken Corn Pasta Salad With Bacon And Creamy Pesto
This pasta salad brings together sweet corn, crispy bacon, and a delightful creamy pesto dressing. It’s a fresh take on pasta salad that’s both comforting and bright, perfect for any occasion.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Chicken Corn Pesto Pasta
- Sweet Corn: You can use fresh, frozen (thawed), or canned (drained) corn. It adds a lovely pop of sweetness to the salad.
- Creamy Pesto Dressing: Combining your favorite pesto with mayonnaise creates a rich and flavorful dressing that coats everything beautifully.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Halved cherry tomatoes add a burst of color and a touch of acidity, balancing the creamy dressing.
What You Need for Chicken Corn Pesto Pasta Salad
- 8 oz farfalle (bow-tie) pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 1 cup sweet corn (frozen, thawed; or canned, drained)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
⏱️ Time: 25 minutes🍽️ Yields: 6 servings
How to Make Chicken Corn Pesto Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook and Cool Pasta
Cook your farfalle pasta according to the package directions until it’s tender. Drain the pasta and rinse it well with cold water to cool it down completely.
Step 2: Prepare Ingredients
Cook and crumble the bacon. Cube your cooked chicken. If using frozen corn, make sure it’s thawed. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Pesto Dressing
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the basil pesto and mayonnaise until they are well combined and smooth.
Step 4: Combine All
Add the cooled pasta, cubed chicken, crumbled bacon, corn, halved cherry tomatoes, and grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper.
📝 Final Note
A sprinkle of fresh basil leaves right before serving adds a lovely aroma and a fresh touch to this tasty salad.
