Summer Salad Recipes that can be eaten as a full meal are a delicious win in my book. BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad is a fun pasta salad, perfect for a Pot Luck BBQ or to feed the family. With zesty flavor and a cinch to make, this recipe will soon be a favorite family meal.
Originally Posted November 2017 ~ Republished June 2021
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I love the combination of flavors from the creamy ranch to the crunch of the corn chips. The textures and flavors combine for a wonderful combination. Here is a Tip ~ Try substituting Honey BBQ Twist Frito Chips for traditional Frito Chips. Yum!
This recipe is a favorite when using leftover Chicken. Here is my recipe on how to cook a Whole Chicken in the Instant Pot or use Rotisserie Chicken. But any leftover chicken works perfectly in this recipe.
Family Favorite Recipe
Who doesn’t love a BBQ Pot-luck with a little something different than the norm? Any way you serve the BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad is perfect.
Try this recipe, and let us know what you think!
I like this salad cold, so the earlier I can get my pasta done and cooling the better. I also get giddy when I have my dinner planned and mostly done well before dinner time. I feel so productive.
While the pasta is cooking, I cut up my chicken if I’m using a rotisserie, or I quickly cook up Shredded Chicken in the Instant Pot, either way it’s pretty easy to accomplish this while the pasta is cooking.
However you choose to serve this pasta salad, you will love it. It’s so full of flavors and textures, it really is a party in your mouth!
BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad Shopping List
- Chicken - Cooked Cubed or Shredded Chicken
- Beans - Kidney, Black or Pinto Beans Rinsed and Drained
- Corn - Sweet Canned Corn Rinsed and Drained
- Onions - Green Onions 1 bunch chopped or Red Onions diced
- Spices - Ranch Dressing Mix
- Sour Cream - Regular, Light, or Greek Yogurt
- BBQ Sauce -
- Pasta - Curly is more fun!
- Chips - Frito Corn Chips or Honey BBQ Chips
- Cheese - Cheddar Cheese or a blend of cheeses grated
How to make BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad?
- This recipe calls for Cooked Cubed or Shredded Chicken. Rotisserie Chicken works perfectly or even leftover chicken.
- Add 1 lb Pasta with enough water to cover pasta in Instant Pot and pressure cook for 5 minutes with a 5-minute Natural Pressure Release. OR Cook pasta on stovetop according to package directions.
- Rinse Pasta in cool water and drain.
- Rinse and Drain Corn and Beans. I prefer Black Beans. Kidney or Pinto Beans are also a great substitute.
- Dice Onions and Tomatoes
- In a small bowl mix Powdered Ranch Dressing Mix and Sour Cream together. Mix until blended. Stir in BBQ Sauce. Mix together and set aside.
- In a large bowl combine cubed chicken, beans, corn, onion, tomatoes, and pasta. Toss and mix all ingredients.
- Add sauce and mix to combine.
- Before serving add chips and lightly toss to combine. Add cheese on top, optional.
Pasta Salad Tips
Add BBQ Ranch Dressing to pasta and wait to add Frito Chips until ready to serve. Chips will become soggy and absorb all the dressing making the pasta dry.
How long will Pasta Salad last in Fridge?
Pasta Salad will last 3-4 days when kept in the fridge and stored covered in a sealed container.
How can I add Flavor to Pasta Salad?
Adding flavor to Pasta salad can be done by cooking pasta using broth when cooked in the Instant Pot / Electric Pressure Cooker. This will infuse the pasta with the flavors from the broth.
Should you Rinse Pasta?
Pasta should never be rinsed for hot pasta dishes. The starch from the pasta helps thicken sauces. When serving a cold pasta salad or serving pasta at a later time it's best to rinse pasta to remove excess starches.
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Don't stop with just this salad, why not try these other Tried and True Pot Luck Salads too!
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
- Pepperoni Pasta Salad
- Strawberry Poppyseed Pasta Salad
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Taco Pasta Salad
- Mushroom and Garlic Noodles
- Zucchini and Cherry Tomatoes with a creamy Pasta Sauce
- Ramen Pad Thai
BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 2 Cup Cooked Chicken diced
- 1 Can Black Beans Rinsed and Drained
- 1 ½ Cup Corn Rinsed and Drained
- 1 Bunch Green Onions Chopped and diced
- ½ Cup Tomato Diced
- ¼ Cup Ranch Dressing Mix
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- ½ Cup BBQ Sauce
- 1 lb Pasta
- 2 Cup Corn Chips Frito Chips
- ½ -1 Cup Cheddar Cheese Optional
Instructions
- This recipe calls for Cooked Cubed or Shredded Chicken. Rotisserie Chicken works perfectly or even leftover chicken.
- Add 1 lb Pasta with enough water to cover pasta in Instant Pot and pressure cook for 5 minutes with a 5-minute Natural Pressure Release. OR Cook pasta on stovetop according to package directions. Broth can be substituted for water to infuse pasta with more flavor
- Rinse Pasta in cool water and drain.
- Rinse and Drain Corn and Beans. I prefer Black Beans. Kidney or Pinto Beans are also a great substitute.
- Dice Onions and Tomatoes
- In a small bowl mix Powdered Ranch Dressing Mix and Sour Cream together. Mix until blended. Stir in BBQ Sauce. Mix together and set aside.
- In a large bowl combine cubed chicken, beans, corn, onion, tomatoes, and pasta. Toss and mix all ingredients.
- Add sauce and mix to combine.
- Before serving add chips and lightly toss to combine. Add cheese on top, optional.
Notes
Pasta Salad Tips
Add BBQ Ranch Dressing to pasta and wait to add Frito Chips until ready to serve. Chips will become soggy and absorb all the dressing making the pasta dry.How long will Pasta Salad last in Fridge?
Nutrition
I've recently updated BBQ Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad. It's the same great recipe with more information, tips and directions for the Instant Pot. But otherwise the same great recipe.
As it's always fun to look back, I love to keep some of the older photos to enjoy. I hope you love the new photos more than the old. 😉
Updated Recipe June 2021
Irene Coker
Made this for dinner when my son was in town and he loved it. I substituted pinto beans in it and used chicken broth for the liquid. I love cooking pasta in the IP it's so easy. Thanks for the recipe!!!
Jacquie
My grandkids would 💘 this dish I would differently use the pinto beans I like the ranch style they have one with onion and one with jalapeno peppers and the original kind. I will make it soon
Devour Dinner
My kids have loved it. It's great to change up the beans or whatever you prefer, but the overall flavor and taste is great. Sure hope they love it too!