Chicken bacon ranch pasta salad is a summer staple! This cold pasta salad recipe is loaded with flavor from the homemade ranch dressing, grilled garlic chicken, crisp bacon, fresh juicy grape tomatoes, and noodles. Bring to a potluck dinner, or a summer BBQ, or make it and enjoy easy lunches during the week. It makes the best healthy meal and also works as a side dish!
In a medium bowl, add the extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, garlic granules, onion powder, and pepper. Stir, and then add the diced chicken and stir. Marinade for 5 minutes, or up to 24 hours.
When you’re ready to cook, heat a grill to medium-high heat. Use a grill basket, or skewer the chicken on wooden skewers, and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Be sure to stir the chicken and turn it every few minutes for even cooking. When the chicken is done, add it to a plate to cool. You can also cook the chicken in a large skillet or bake it in the oven.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until crisp. Let the bacon cool on a paper towel-lined plate, and then dice it into small pieces.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and cook the ziti pasta for 10-12 minutes (or how long your box says to cook it), drain, and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process.
Now build your big chicken bacon ranch pasta salad! Add the cooked pasta to a large serving bowl. Add the cooked chicken, tomatoes, spinach, bacon, and green onion. Drizzle with ranch dressing, toss, and enjoy! If not serving right away, chill in the fridge.