Crispy Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad (Printable Version)

Tender pasta, crispy chicken bites, sweet peas, and creamy ranch dressing come together in this refreshing dish perfect for picnics and potlucks.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta & Vegetables

01 - 9 oz short pasta (rotini or penne)
02 - 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
03 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 green onions, sliced

→ Crispy Chicken

05 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
06 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
09 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
10 - 1/2 tsp paprika
11 - 1/4 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
13 - Vegetable oil, for frying

→ Ranch Dressing

14 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
15 - 1/4 cup sour cream
16 - 1/4 cup buttermilk
17 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
18 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
19 - 1 tsp garlic powder
20 - 1 tsp onion powder
21 - 1/2 tsp salt
22 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
23 - 1 tsp lemon juice

# How To Make It:

01 - Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to stop cooking, and set aside.
02 - Cut chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls: flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and panko mixed with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in the third.
04 - Coat each chicken piece in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg, allowing excess to drip off, then press firmly into panko mixture to adhere.
05 - Heat 1/2 inch vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches, turning once, until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
06 - Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, dill, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
07 - Add cooked pasta, peas, bell pepper, and green onions to the dressing. Toss thoroughly until evenly coated.
08 - Gently fold crispy chicken into the salad just before serving to preserve texture. Serve immediately or refrigerate 30 minutes for a chilled version.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The temperature contrast between freshly fried chicken and chilled pasta creates that restaurant-quality texture that feels like a treat
  • Everything can be prepped ahead except the final chicken toss, meaning you are not stuck in the kitchen while guests arrive
  • The homemade ranch dressing hits differently than bottled stuff, and once you taste it, there is no going back
02 -
  • The chicken loses its crunch quickly once mixed in, so add it as the very last step and serve within 30 minutes for optimal texture
  • Letting the dressed pasta sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before adding chicken helps the flavors meld beautifully
  • If making ahead, store chicken separately and reheat at 350°F for 10 minutes to recrisp before folding into the salad
03 -
  • The oil temperature is crucial, too cool and the chicken gets greasy, too hot and the crust burns before the meat cooks through
  • Pat your chicken pieces completely dry before breading or the coating will slide right off in the oil
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