Creamy Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad
This Creamy Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad is a delightful and refreshing dish, perfect for gatherings and potlucks. Inspired by a heartwarming experience shared with kind teachers at Hope Lodge, this salad combines tender spiral pasta, juicy chicken, and a medley of colorful veggies, all enveloped in a creamy ranch dressing. It's an ideal side dish or a light meal that's as easy to prepare as it is delicious. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or a quick weekday lunch, this salad is sure to please a crowd!
10
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
spiral shaped pasta
16 ounces (cooked and drained)
cubed cooked chicken
1 cup (cooked)
Hellmann's mayonnaise
1 cup (none)
milk
1 cup (none)
frozen peas
1 cup (thawed)
finely diced celery
1 cup (diced)
ranch dressing mix
1 (1 ounce) package (dry)
finely chopped onion
1/4 cup (chopped)
dill weed
1 tablespoon (dried)
sour cream
1/2 cup (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the spiral pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and allow it to cool.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the cubed chicken, thawed peas, diced celery, chopped onion, and dill weed.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, ranch dressing mix, and sour cream until smooth and creamy.
4
Pour the dressing over the pasta and chicken mixture, and toss gently until everything is well-coated.
5
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together.
6
Before serving, stir the salad again, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed. Enjoy your delicious creamy ranch chicken pasta salad!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad?
It is a refreshing dish combining spiral pasta, tender chicken, and colorful vegetables in a creamy ranch dressing, perfect for potlucks and picnics.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 10 servings.
What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 16 ounces of spiral shaped pasta, cooked and drained.
How much chicken is required for the salad?
You will need 1 cup of cubed cooked chicken.
Does the chicken need to be pre-cooked?
Yes, the recipe specifies using cubed cooked chicken.
What are the main components of the dressing?
The dressing is made from mayonnaise, milk, a package of ranch dressing mix, and sour cream.
What brand of mayonnaise is recommended?
The ingredients specifically suggest using 1 cup of Hellmann's mayonnaise.
How much milk should be added to the dressing?
The recipe requires 1 cup of milk for the dressing mixture.
Do the frozen peas need to be cooked?
No, the peas just need to be thawed before being added to the salad.
How much celery is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of finely diced celery.
What size ranch dressing mix should I use?
You should use one 1-ounce package of dry ranch dressing mix.
How much onion is included in the salad?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of finely chopped onion.
What seasoning provides the distinct herbal flavor?
1 tablespoon of dried dill weed is used to flavor the salad.
How much sour cream is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of sour cream.
How should the pasta be cooked?
Cook the spiral pasta according to package instructions until it is al dente, then drain and let it cool.
How do I prepare the dressing?
In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, ranch dressing mix, and sour cream until the mixture is smooth.
When should I add the dressing to the pasta?
After combining the pasta, chicken, and vegetables, pour the dressing over the mixture and toss gently to coat.
How long does the salad need to refrigerate?
The salad should be covered and refrigerated for at least 4 hours.
Can I make this salad a day in advance?
Yes, the recipe suggests refrigerating it preferably overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
What should I do before serving the salad?
Before serving, stir the salad again, taste it, and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick meal?
Yes, it is described as an ideal quick weekday lunch or a light meal.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe consists of 10 main ingredients.
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this?
Yes, cubed rotisserie chicken is an excellent and convenient option for the 'cubed cooked chicken' required.
What is the texture of the salad?
It is a creamy salad featuring tender pasta and crunchy diced celery.
Is this dish served warm or cold?
This is a chilled salad that is served cold after refrigeration.
What makes this salad good for potlucks?
Its ability to be made in large batches and the fact that it stays fresh when chilled makes it perfect for gatherings.
Can I add other vegetables to this salad?
The description mentions it uses colorful veggies; you can easily add more to your preference.
What kind of container should I use for chilling?
A large mixing bowl covered with plastic wrap is recommended.
Why must the pasta be al dente?
Cooking pasta al dente ensures it maintains its shape and doesn't become mushy after sitting in the dressing.
Is the ranch dressing mix wet or dry?
The recipe specifically requires dry ranch dressing mix.