With summer right around the corner, that means pasta salad season is here! I am always on the lookout for new spins on this classic cookout side. This Barbecue Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad is amazingly delicious, very customizable and works great on its own for any meal of the day! Let’s jump in.
The Summary
Today we are making a perfect summer dish: Barbecue Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad
Be sure to find the shoppable key ingredients and equipment
Barbecue Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad
Barbecue Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad
You can make most of the components like the chicken, dressing and pasta ahead of time so putting this salad is simple and quick.
Start with the chicken, Baste the chicken thighs with barbecue sauce and grill or bake until cooked through.
While the chicken is baking, make the ranch dressing. Stir together the mayo, sour cream, chives, parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt and black pepper. Taste and add more seasonings if desired. If dressing is super thick, add a little water or milk to thin it out to a desired consistency. Set the dressing aside.
Boil the pasta according to package directions until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool it down and keep it from sticking.
When the chicken is baked through, let the thighs cool then slice and toss with more barbecue sauce and set aside.
Gather the rest of the salad toppings: sliced red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, corn, and chives.
Transfer the dressed pasta and lettuce to a wide shallow serving bowl and compose the salad by creating strips, or wedges, laying the tomatoes, corn, onion slices, cheese cubes (if using), and the barbecue chicken slices on top of the dressed pasta and lettuce.
Garnish with more chives and dill.
This Barbecue Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad is so full of flavors and textures! It’s very satisfying. Use your favorite barbecue sauce, I used Carolina Gold, which is a vinegar-based sauce that I think works really well in a salad – it’s thinner and less sweet than a red sauce. Definitely give this Barbecue Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad and let me know what you think! Take care and be well, xo Kelly
Key Ingredients and Equipment
Baker’s Quarter Sheet Pan with Lid | Nested Mixing Bowl Set | Large Pasta Serving Bowl | 30-qt Mixing Bowl | Silicone Spatula Set
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This morning, Beth shared Summer Outfit Inspiration. Make sure to click the title or image below to read the article.
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