Crispy Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad (Printable)

Refreshing pasta salad with crispy chicken, vegetables, and creamy ranch dressing. Ideal 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:

01 - Boil salted water and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to stop cooking, and set aside.
02 - Slice 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 mixture, then press firmly into panko mixture to adhere evenly.
05 - Heat 1/2 inch vegetable oil in skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Fry chicken in batches, 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
06 - Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, dill, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice in large bowl until smooth and creamy.
07 - Add cooked pasta, thawed peas, diced bell pepper, and green onions to dressing. Toss gently until evenly coated.
08 - Fold in fried chicken pieces just before serving to maintain crispy texture. Serve immediately or refrigerate 30 minutes for cold salad.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • That moment when crispy chicken meets cool creamy pasta is basically magic
  • Its the dish that disappears first at every potluck, guaranteed
02 -
  • The chicken will lose its magical crunch if it sits in the dressing too long, so add it last
  • This salad tastes even better after an hour in the fridge, giving flavors time to meld
03 -
  • Let your breaded chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels for maximum crispiness
  • Double the dressing recipe and keep it in a mason jar for salads all week long
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