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This BBQ Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad is that “salad” everyone really wants to EAT. It’s simple to throw together but packs in the flavor. Grilled BBQ chicken tossed together with a creamy homemade ranch dressing, fresh romaine lettuce, grilled corn, tomatoes, and fresh avocado. This pasta salad is flavorful, filling, and a great way to use up all that summer produce. Enjoy this for dinner and save the leftovers for lunch. Or serve this up at your next backyard dinner with friends. Perfect to enjoy from now through the fall months.
There’s nothing like a pasta salad in the summertime. I’ve told this story before, but pasta salad used to be one of my favorite summer dinners that my dad would make. He’d often make a pasta salad on random nights when my brothers had already eaten. Since anything with the word salad in it was not their kind of meal.
His pasta salad was super simple. Pasta, broccoli, cheese, olive oil, lots of herbs, and then whatever random items happened to be in the fridge.
I remember having a lot of fun on Saturday nights helping him toss things together while munching down on broccoli. I think it’s partly the memories that I really love so much.
Anyway, I’m always inspired to create pasta salad recipes throughout the summer. And today’s recipe is my newest…and my favorite.
It’s not fancy by any means. And it’s certainly not the prettiest salad I’ve ever tossed together. But the flavors, the textures, and the deliciousness are all spot on.
Making this pasta salad is easy, here are the steps
You need to gather up your ingredients…really good BBQ sauce, summer produce, your favorite short cut pasta, and a bit of homemade ranch dressing.
I always start with the chicken and toss it simply with my favorite homemade BBQ sauce. You can certainly use store-bought too. I recommend something lower in sugar so the chicken is not too sweet.
Grill the chicken, and while that’s cooking, I usually start assembling the salad.
You’ll of course need pasta. I love a fun short cut like these guys, or maybe these fun squiggles. Once the pasta is all cooked, I add it to my biggest salad bowl. To the bowl I add cubes of cheddar and pepper jack cheese, lettuce, grilled corn, tomatoes, and slices of jalapeño.
Then I throw in lots of fresh cilantro and basil and give it all a nice toss.
Now the ranch – the secret to this salad
I did a quick homemade ranch dressing that, if you ask me, is far superior to anything from the store…but I am of course, a bit biased.
It’s creamy, made with plenty of fresh garden herbs, and when tossed with the pasta? It makes for the very best pasta salad. BBQ and ranch is one of the best low-key, not fancy, but so delicious food combinations.
Once you have the salad all tossed, finish it off with avocado on top. Then serve with additional ranch and BBQ sauce.
I know it’s not your classic pasta salad, but try to trust me on this one. It’s really good and fully approved by every family member. This was a huge hit!
You can eat this warm or at room temperature. Though the longer the pasta sits, the more flavor it develops, so this is also perfect for making ahead. My only recommendation is to wait to add the avocado so that it doesn’t get brown.
Looking for other pasta salad recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad
Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken and Avocado Bacon Salad
Pesto Chicken, Corn, and Avocado Bacon Pasta Salad
Lastly, if you make this BBQ Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
BBQ Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 503 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken, cut into bite size chunks
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 pound short cut pasta
- 1 1/2 cups cubed cheddar cheese
- 3 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 ears grilled or steamed corn
- 1 jalapeño, seeded, if desired, and chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro and or basil, chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
Creamy Ranch
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1/4 cup olive oil mayo
- 1/4-1/2 tablespoon buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions
- 1. Set your grill, grill pan, or skillet to medium-high heat. 2. In a bowl, combine the chicken and BBQ sauce. Grill the chicken until lightly charred and cooked through, turning halfway through cooking. Cook about 8-10 minutes.3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Drain and add to a large salad bowl with the cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, corn, jalapeño, cilantro, and basil. 4. To make the ranch. Combine all ingredients in a bowl or glass jar. Taste, adding salt and pepper as needed. 5. Toss the pasta with half the ranch. Add the chicken and gently toss to combine. 6. Top the pasta with avocado. Season with freshly cracked pepper and salt. Serve warm or cold with additional ranch as desired.
I made this for a small dinner party and it was a smash. So flavorful and pretty. You always have the best recipes. Thanks!
Hey Trish,
Happy Sunday! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad that it was enjoyed!! ☀️xTieghan
Good flavor combos, satisfying and hits all the nutrition for the day! Used some chicken pieces we had in the fridge, so then used barbecue sauce as a topping. The beauty of this salad is: use the amounts you have available and make the recipe your guideline.
Hey Mary Ann,
Happy Sunday! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad that it was enjoyed!! ☀️xTieghan
Looks fun! What kind of pasta did you use??
Thanks Stephanie! Here’s the link for the noodles:
https://goto.target.com/c/2773249/81938/2092?subid1=58c18d1bf051050f829e3c0b&subid2=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.halfbakedharvest.com%2Fbbq-chicken-ranch-pasta-salad%2F&sharedid=Half%20Baked%20Harvest&subid3=https%3A%2F%2F
Let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Is it really 1/4 – 1/2 tablespoon of buttermilk, or is that a typo? From your reel, it looked like 1/4 – 1/2 cup.
Hey Jen,
Yes, those measurements are correct, feel free to add more to your liking. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Looks so good! It looks gorgeous and delicious! What homemade BBQ sauce do you use? Is there a recipe or resource that you can share that’s your fave?
Hey Steph,
Here is the link for my homemade BBQ sauce:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-barbecue-sauce-just-like-sweet-baby-rays/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Your recipes are always delicious. Thanks for sharing. Will take a picture when I make it. Trader Joe’s has a roasted corn in the freezer section. Wonder if that would be good.
Hey Shari,
Thanks so much, I hope you love the recipe!! xTieghan
I don’t want to buy buttermilk just for that little bit. Could it be left out?
Just use 1 cup of milk, add one tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice, wait for 5 minutes, and you have buttermilk!
Hey Katie,
I would at least use whole milk in its place. I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Thank you so much for this salad snd all the links to the other salads, too! It’s really been too hot and these salads are just perfect!
Of course! I hope you love the recipes:) xTieghan
Fantastic. I have a family of picky eaters young and old and this dinner was DEVOURED. Followed the recipe exactly except I didn’t have any cilantro. No matter. Fabulous!
Hey Claire,
Happy Friday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
Can you please include sodium content in your recipes? This is very important to me. Thank you ?
Hey Melanie,
Sorry this is not something I am able to offer at this time. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I made it tonight and it was truly sooo good.
Hey Sandy,
Happy Friday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am delighted that it was enjoyed! Have a great weekend:) xTieghan
I disagree about this not being one of your prettiest salads. This is so gorgeous with the beautiful contrasting colors.
Thank you so much Sarah!! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan!
Looks great as do all your recipes. Could you give me your homemade BBQ sauce recipe? I can’t seem to find it. Thank you!
Hey Jeanette,
Here is the recipe for homemade BBQ sauce:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/homemade-barbecue-sauce-just-like-sweet-baby-rays/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
What would you recommend to make this dairy free?
Hey Jessica,
I would skip the cheese and purchase a dairy free ranch dressing from your local grocery store. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I’m so glad you recommend avocado mayo. I’m trying to elimate PUFAs (mainly the processed liquid vegetable oils) from my diet, which is in everything! I will be trying this recipe this weekend. It looks delicious.
I meant Olive Oil Mayo. LOL but Avocado Mayo is great too. My mistake
Hey Robin,
Awesome!! I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thank you so much for giving it a try! xTieghan