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Crispy Popcorn Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

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A quick and easy pasta salad featuring crispy popcorn chicken, smoky bacon, and creamy ranch dressing, perfect for casual dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) popcorn chicken, ready-made or homemade
  • 8 oz (225 g) pasta (rotini, penne, or elbow macaroni)
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • ½ cup (120 ml) ranch dressing, store-bought or homemade
  • 1 cup (100 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 stalk celery, finely diced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. While the pasta cooks, fry 4 slices of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain and cool. Once cooled, crumble into small pieces.
  3. If using store-bought frozen popcorn chicken, bake or air fry according to package directions until crispy (typically 12-15 minutes at 400°F / 200°C). Let cool slightly, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  4. Thinly slice 2 green onions, finely dice 1 celery stalk, and chop 2 tablespoons fresh parsley. Add to the bowl with pasta.
  5. Add the popcorn chicken pieces, crumbled bacon, and 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese to the bowl. Drizzle ½ cup (120 ml) ranch dressing and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice over everything.
  6. Using a large spoon or spatula, toss everything carefully until the ranch coats the pasta and mix-ins evenly. Avoid overmixing to keep the popcorn chicken crispy. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
  7. For best flavor, refrigerate the salad for 20-30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness. Cool popcorn chicken completely before mixing to keep it crispy. Add popcorn chicken last minute if prepping ahead. Reheat popcorn chicken briefly to refresh crispiness. Use gluten-free pasta and verify popcorn chicken for gluten-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: popcorn chicken, bacon, ranch, pasta salad, quick recipe, easy dinner, potluck, creamy, crispy

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/crispy-popcorn-chicken-bacon-ranch-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-and-delicious/