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High Protein Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad You'll Crave

A delicious high protein pasta salad featuring chickpea pasta, bacon, and chicken for a nutritious meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Chickpea Pasta or substitute with lentil or edamame pasta
For the Protein
  • 1 pound Chicken Breast cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 6 slices Bacon no pre-cooking needed
For the Vegetables
  • 1 medium Red Onion finely diced
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes halved
  • 4 scallions Scallions mostly white and light green parts
For the Dressing
  • 1 packet Ranch Seasoning consider using Hidden Valley
  • 1 cup Ranch Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt Fage is recommended
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika

Equipment

  • oven
  • mixing bowl
  • baking sheet
  • large pot
  • whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for High Protein Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Finely dice the red onion, halve the cherry tomatoes, and slice the scallions.
  2. Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch chunks and season them with ranch seasoning. Arrange on a baking sheet with whole bacon strips and diced onion.
  3. Roast in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and bacon is crispy.
  4. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add chickpea pasta, and cook according to package instructions, about 7-8 minutes for al dente.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine ranch dressing, Greek yogurt, ranch seasoning, and smoked paprika. Whisk until smooth.
  6. Let chicken and bacon cool slightly, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
  7. Combine cooked chickpea pasta, chopped chicken, crispy bacon, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and scallions in a large bowl.
  8. Pour dressing over the salad, toss gently, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

This salad is perfect for meal prep and can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days. The flavors improve as they meld together.