With tender grilled chicken, crisp veggies, smoky bacon, and a bold homemade blackened ranch dressing, this pasta salad is perfect for summer cookouts, easy weeknight dinners, or satisfying lunches you’ll want on repeat all season long.

Blackened Ranch Pasta Salad

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Ingredients

For the Salad:

1 box (8 ounces) Kaizen Lumache pasta
1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
½ red onion, finely diced
1 red, orange or yellow bell pepper, diced
½ large English cucumber, diced
4-5 cooked strips of bacon, chopped (optional)
2 large grilled chicken breasts, sliced or chopped (or 1-½ cups pre-cooked shredded chicken like rotisserie)
1 bunch fresh chives, chopped
1 avocado, sliced into thick wedges

For the Blackened Ranch:

½ cup plain yogurt or plain Greek yogurt
⅓ cup avocado oil mayonnaise
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons buttermilk
2 teaspoons dried dill
1 tablespoon dried chives
1-½ teaspoons smoked paprika
¾ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼-½ teaspoon ground cayenne
Fine sea salt, to taste

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Directions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the Kaizen Lumache and cook for 4-5 minutes. Pour the pasta into a colander to drain the water, then run the hot pasta under cold tap water for a couple of minutes to cool. Transfer the pasta to a bowl and place in the refrigerator to cool the pasta completely while you prepare the salad.
Make the blackened ranch: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of almond milk. Whisk until smooth and add 1 more tablespoon of almond milk to thin, if desired. Stir in all of the spices and dried herbs, then taste and add salt as needed. Set aside.
Assemble the pasta salad: Add the tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, cucumber and bacon to a large bowl and toss with a couple of spoonfuls of the ranch dressing. Pour in the chilled pasta, then gently toss with more ranch. Add the chicken, and chives, and toss gently. Assemble with the avocado slices on top.

Recipe Note

Adjust the spice level of the blackened ranch to your own taste by adding more or less cayenne.
The bacon is optional, but will add extra flavor to the pasta salad.
You can grill the chicken breasts or cook them in a pan.

Blackened Ranch Pasta Salad

Name: Blackened Ranch Pasta Salad
Ingredients: 1 box (8 ounces) Kaizen Lumache pasta; 1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes; ½ red onion, finely diced; 1 red, orange or yellow bell pepper, diced; ½ large English cucumber, diced; 4-5 cooked strips of bacon, chopped (optional); 2 large grilled chicken breasts, sliced or chopped (or 1-½ cups pre-cooked shredded chicken like rotisserie); 1 bunch fresh chives, chopped; 1 avocado, sliced into thick wedges; ½ cup plain yogurt or plain Greek yogurt; ⅓ cup avocado oil mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice; 3 tablespoons buttermilk; 2 teaspoons dried dill; 1 tablespoon dried chives; 1-½ teaspoons smoked paprika; ¾ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon ground black pepper; ¼-½ teaspoon ground cayenne; Fine sea salt, to taste

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Low carb and high protein when you use Kaizen Pasta
Smoky and zesty blackened ranch dressing you won’t find in a bottle
Perfect for summer gatherings, quick lunches, or easy weeknight dinners
Hearty and filling thanks to chicken, bacon, and avocado
Satisfying and flavorful with every bite

Why Choose Kaizen Pasta?

Kaizen Pasta is made from nutrient-rich lupin beans, delivering the flavor and texture of traditional pasta with a fraction of the carbs and over double the protein.

Key Benefits:

20g protein per serving – More than double the protein of regular pasta
Only 6g net carbs
Gluten-free & grain-free
Perfect al dente texture for cold salads and warm dishes alike
Swaps 1:1 for any traditional pasta

Shop Kaizen Pasta Here

Swaps and Additions

Protein Boost: Use grilled shrimp, turkey breast, or steak strips.
Dressing Variations: Sub in ranch dressing or your favorite creamy dressing if you prefer.
Veggie Variations: Add corn, chopped romaine, or roasted broccoli.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! This salad tastes even better after chilling for an hour or two. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

How spicy is the blackened ranch?
It has a moderate kick from the cayenne and smoked paprika. Adjust the cayenne to make it milder or hotter.

Can I use store-bought ranch?
Absolutely. Just note that it won’t have the smoky blackened flavor unless you add a little smoked paprika and cayenne.

What can I use instead of chicken?
Try cooked shrimp, grilled steak, or even hard-boiled eggs for a protein-packed twist.

How do I keep the avocado from browning?
Slice and add the avocado right before serving.

How to Store

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Not recommended, as the fresh veggies and dressing won’t thaw well.

Serving Tips

Serve cold for the freshest flavor
If storing overnight, refresh with extra dressing before serving.
Perfect alongside grilled meats or as a standalone meal.

This Blackened Ranch Pasta Salad is everything you want in a summer meal—cool, creamy, smoky, and satisfying. With Kaizen Lupini Pasta, you get all the taste and texture of traditional pasta while staying low-carb and high-protein.

Shop Kaizen Pasta Here

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