Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Add salt and stir. Pour in the pasta and cook to al dente, where it still has a slight bite, not mushy. Strain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

Cook the bacon over medium heat in a large skillet to preferred doneness. Remove the bacon and allow to cool before chopping. Set aside.

Step 3

Sprinkle both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes, then flip and cook the other side an additional 5 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove chicken and allow to cool before chopping.

Step 4

Prepare the ranch dressing in a small bowl. Stir together the mayonnaise and sour cream. Add the seasonings and lemon juice, stir together.

Step 5

In large bowl combine the cooled pasta, bacon, chicken, cheese, red onion, tomatoes and stir. Spoon the ranch dressing into the bowl to coat the pasta salad.

Step 6

Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours before serving.