Crispy Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad (Print Version)

Tender pasta, crispy chicken, sweet peas, and creamy ranch dressing combine for a satisfying American classic.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 - 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
09 - 0.5 tsp garlic powder
10 - 0.5 tsp paprika
11 - 0.25 tsp salt
12 - 0.25 tsp black pepper
13 - Vegetable oil for frying

→ Ranch Dressing

14 - 0.5 cup mayonnaise
15 - 0.25 cup sour cream
16 - 0.25 cup buttermilk
17 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
18 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
19 - 1 tsp garlic powder
20 - 1 tsp onion powder
21 - 0.5 tsp salt
22 - 0.25 tsp black pepper
23 - 1 tsp lemon juice

# Steps:

01 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water, then set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, slice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
03 - Arrange three shallow bowls with flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and a mixture of panko, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in the third.
04 - Dredge chicken pieces in flour, dip in egg, then coat thoroughly in the panko mixture.
05 - Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
06 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, dill, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and lemon juice until smooth.
07 - Add cooked pasta, peas, bell pepper, and green onions to the bowl with dressing. Toss gently to coat evenly.
08 - Gently fold in crispy chicken just before serving to maintain texture.
09 - Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes for a cold salad.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • Crispy chicken stays crunchy even tossed in creamy dressing thanks to a light panko coating
  • Its the perfect bridge between comfort food and picnic fare, feeling substantial but not heavy
  • The homemade ranch takes five minutes and tastes entirely different from bottled versions
02 -
  • Adding warm chicken directly to the dressed pasta will instantly make it soggy, so patience during cooling is essential
  • The pasta absorbs dressing as it sits, so make the ranch slightly thinner than you think you need it
  • This salad needs at least 30 minutes of chilling time for flavors to meld properly
03 -
  • Double the batch of dressing and keep it in a sealed jar for up to a week
  • Line your cooling rack with paper towels underneath to catch any excess oil that drips
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