Description
Discover the perfect no-mayo chicken ranch pasta salad that’s creamy, delicious, and perfect for any gathering!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lb rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup ranch seasoning (or 2 tablespoons dried ranch mix)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.
- Cook the chicken: While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes, then dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, ranch seasoning, olive oil, and lemon juice. Whisk until smooth and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the vegetables: While the chicken is cooling, dice the red onion and celery. Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the black olives.
- Combine everything: Add the cooled pasta, diced chicken, vegetables, cheddar cheese, and olives to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently until everything is well coated.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Don’t skip the chilling step: Allowing the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes helps the flavors come together and makes it even more delicious.
- Adjust the ranch seasoning: Depending on how salty your ranch seasoning is, you might want to adjust the amount. Start with less and add more to taste.
- Use cold pasta: Make sure the pasta is completely cool before mixing with the other ingredients to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Add fresh herbs just before serving: For the best flavor and color, add fresh parsley or dill just before serving.
- Taste and adjust: Before serving, taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed. You might want to add more lemon juice for brightness or extra salt for flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Chicken recipes
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken smoked turkey ranch pasta salad no mayo