Merken This Crispy Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, combining the comforting crunch of golden breaded chicken with tender pasta and a vibrant mix of vegetables. Whether you're heading to a summer picnic or looking for a satisfying weekday lunch, the creamy homemade ranch dressing brings every element together for a refreshing and hearty meal.
Merken The secret to this salad lies in the contrast between the warm, crispy chicken and the cool, creamy pasta. By breading the chicken in panko crumbs and frying it until golden, you create a texture that stands up beautifully to the rich dressing and sweet peas.
Ingredients
- Pasta & Vegetables: 250 g (9 oz) short pasta (rotini or penne), 150 g (1 cup) frozen peas, thawed, 1 small red bell pepper, diced, 2 green onions, sliced.
- Crispy Chicken: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 60 g (½ cup) all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs, 80 g (1 cup) panko breadcrumbs, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, Vegetable oil, for frying.
- Ranch Dressing: 120 ml (½ cup) mayonnaise, 60 ml (¼ cup) sour cream, 60 ml (¼ cup) buttermilk, 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped, 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp lemon juice.
Instructions
- Step 1
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
- Step 2
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the chicken: Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 3
- Set up a breading station: Place flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in a second bowl, and mix panko, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a third bowl.
- Step 4
- Dredge chicken pieces in flour, dip in egg, then coat in the panko mixture.
- Step 5
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken pieces in batches for 3–4 minutes per side or until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
- Step 6
- In a large bowl, whisk together all ranch dressing ingredients until smooth.
- Step 7
- Add cooked pasta, peas, bell pepper, and green onions to the bowl with dressing. Toss to coat evenly.
- Step 8
- Gently fold in the crispy chicken just before serving to maintain crunch.
- Step 9
- Serve immediately, or chill for 30 minutes for a cold salad.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
For a quicker version of this recipe, you can substitute the breaded and fried chicken with a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Simply omit the flour, egg, and panko steps and shred the chicken directly into the salad. Additionally, ensure the pasta is rinsed thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from getting mushy.
Varianten und Anpassungen
Feel free to customize this salad to your liking. For extra crunch, add chopped celery or crispy bacon bits. While fresh herbs add the most brightness to the ranch dressing, you can replace them with dried herbs if necessary. You can also use a high-quality store-bought ranch dressing to save even more time.
Serviervorschläge
This salad is best served immediately if you want to enjoy the contrast of warm chicken and cold pasta. If you prefer a traditional cold pasta salad, chill the dressed pasta and vegetables for 30 minutes, but remember to fold in the crispy chicken only at the very last moment to ensure it retains its signature crunch.
Merken With its combination of fresh vegetables, hearty chicken, and a zesty homemade dressing, this Crispy Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad is sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation. Enjoy the perfect balance of textures and flavors in every forkful!
