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Looking for a quick, protein-packed lunch that comes together in minutes? This Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad is creamy, savory, and full of flavor—perfect for meal prep or a busy weekday lunch.
👉 Love chilled pasta salads? Don’t miss my Easy Dill PIckle Pasta Salad and Italian Grinder Pasta Salad—both perfect alongside this chicken salad.
This creamy Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad is one of my favorite quick and budget-friendly lunches. If you’re loving cold salad recipes, try my Classic Ramen Noodle Salad
If you haven’t been making chicken salad for meal prep, this is me telling you it’s a lifesaver for busy weeks. And if you love filling but easy family dinners, don’t miss my Cheap Family Meals Under $10
I’ll usually serve this chicken salad stuffed in wraps or alongside a pasta salad like my Chicken Taco Pasta Salad— the easiest way to round out a meal.
🔍 Quick Look: Chicken Salad Recipes
- ⏰ Ready In: 15 minutes
- 🛒 Recipe Ingredients: Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Dressing
- 🍽️ Servings: 4
- 👩🍳 Difficulty: Easy
- 🧊 Make-Ahead Friendly: Stores well in the fridge for several days
🎥 Step-by-Step Recipe Video
Why you’ll love this recipe…
This recipe has been one of my go-to lunch preps for years. I love it because it’s the ultimate combo of crispy bacon, juicy chicken, and creamy ranch dressing—all in one bowl. It’s filling, customizable, and one of those meals I never get tired of. Pair it with bread, wraps, or even lettuce cups for an easy lunch that works all week long.
And if you’re looking for even more flavor-packed recipes, check out my 15 Best Ways to Use Italian Sausage or my high-protein recipes Easy Recipes Using Ground Turkey.
Made With Love,
Recipe Ingredients
Here are the key ingredients that make this chicken salad so good:
- Chicken: I like using cooked, shredded chicken breast for lean protein, but rotisserie chicken works great for convenience. It’s the same shortcut I use in my Easy Dinner Casseroles Using Rotisserie Chicken when I need quick prep.
- Bacon: Crispy bacon bits add smoky flavor and crunch—don’t skip this!
- Ranch Dressing: Use your favorite store-bought ranch or make it homemade for extra flavor.
See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and quantities.
How to Make Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad
This recipe is super quick—just a few simple steps:
- Cook the bacon – Crisp it up and crumble it.
- Mix it up – Combine the chicken, bacon, and ranch dressing in a large bowl. (It’s similar to how you mix together my Doritos Taco Salad—just toss until coated evenly.)
- Serve & enjoy – Chill for 30 minutes if you want the flavors to blend, then serve as sandwiches, wraps, or lettuce cups.
👉 For full instructions, see the recipe card below.
Expert Tips
- Save time by using rotisserie chicken.
- Chill before serving for the best flavor.
- Try swapping ranch for Caesar or chipotle dressing for a twist.
Storage & Make Ahead
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing (mayo-based salads don’t thaw well).
👉 If you love budget-friendly meal prep, check out my Cheap Family Meals Under $10 for more easy ideas.
Easy Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken, about 2 chicken breasts
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, ranch dressing, cheese, and green onions.
- Mix until well coated. Taste and season with salt & pepper as needed.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to let flavors blend.
Notes
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Stir before serving.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Great for sandwiches, wraps, or served with crackers.
- Protein Swap: Use rotisserie chicken for faster prep, or leftover turkey.
- Dressing Alternative: Swap ranch with Greek yogurt + ranch seasoning for a lighter version.
- Cheese: Skip the cheese for a lighter salad or use pepper jack for extra flavor.
- Add Veggies: Mix in diced celery, bell peppers, or cucumbers for crunch.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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- Doritos Taco Salad with Catalina Dressing
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Yes, but fresh or rotisserie chicken tastes better.
Bread, wraps, pita pockets, or lettuce cups all work perfectly.
Swap ranch for Greek yogurt ranch and use turkey bacon.
