Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Jul 30, 2023

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This bold and creamy restaurant-quality recipe takes the classic sandwich and pizza flavors of chicken, bacon, and Ranch to create a delicious Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta dish. It’s always a hit!

A dinner plate of pasta and chicken with creamy sauce and bacon.

This Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Has It All!

You guys. This recipe is seriously a game-changer. It combines tender chicken, smoky bacon, and zesty ranch – need I say more?! As far as skillet dinners go, this one is foolproof. Chicken bacon ranch pasta is a drool-worthy dinner that combines all the elements of a satisfying meal – creamy sauce, plenty of protein, and all that tangy ranch goodness. Get ready to fall in love!

Chicken bacon ranch pasta on dinner plates.

Why You’ll Love Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

I’m going to bet that if you make this, it will quickly become your new favorite meal. Here’s why:

Savory and Meaty: Succulent chicken, is the perfect match for crispy, smoky bacon.
Cheesy and Creamy: The cheesy sauce coats every bite, and gets an extra kick from zesty ranch!
Convenient: This easy recipe comes together in one pot and one skillet, making cleanup a breeze.
Crowd-Pleasing! Even the pickiest eater will love this cheesy, flavorful pasta meal.

Ingredients for chicken bacon ranch pasta measured and arranged on a work surface.

What You’ll Need

So what will you need to make chicken bacon ranch pasta? You might be surprised, but this recipe is actually simple and made completely from scratch!

Pasta: I like to use small to medium pasta shapes, such as fusilli.
Bacon: Cooked and crumbled.
Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless, cut in half lengthwise to make thin, flat pieces.
Salt and Pepper
Herbs and Spices: Garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and dry ranch seasoning. Chopped fresh parsley is optional.
Butter: Unsalted butter is my go-to. If you want to use salted, just reduce the amount of salt in the recipe.
Garlic: Fresh garlic, minced.
Half and Half: I use half and half to make the creamy sauce, but you could use more cream and less milk if you want it really rich!
Cheese: Shredded cheddar is so good in this, but any good melting cheese you like can be substituted.

How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

This dish comes together with minimal prep, and it’s ready in about half an hour. Here’s the step-by-step process:

Make the Pasta and Fry the Bacon. First, you’ll want to bring some water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain it and set aside. In the meantime, cook the bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Drain it on a plate lined with paper towels, and once it cools, roughly chop. Leave the remaining bacon fat in the pan.
Cool the Chicken. Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, so you have 4 thinner pieces. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, and cook it in the bacon fat for 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and is fully cooked. Let the cooked chicken rest on a clean plate for a few minutes.

Butter and seasoning in a skillet with other ingredients.

Make the Sauce. In the same skillet, melt the butter and sauté the garlic for 1 minute. Pour in the half and half, and bring it to a gentle simmer for 3 minutes until the sauce thickens up a bit. Then reduce the heat to low, and stir in the dry ranch dressing seasoning. Cook for about 2 minutes.

Finish the Dish. Cut the chicken into strips and add it to the sauce with the cooked pasta. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the pasta and cover the skillet for a few minutes to melt the cheese.
Enjoy! Garnish the pasta with crumbled bacon and chopped parsley, and serve hot!

Overhead shot of chicken and pasta on dinner plates.

Recipe Tips & Variations

Get ready to experience the ultimate comfort food with this indulgent chicken bacon pasta. These helpful tips will make it even better!

Mix-In Ideas: Feel free to customize the basic recipe by adding any cooked vegetables you love – think peas, spinach, or cherry tomatoes, for starters!
Add Heat: For a little kick, sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes over the finished dish, or use cayenne pepper to spice things up.
Sauce Consistency: If the sauce thickens too much, you can add a splash of chicken broth or pasta water to thin it a bit.
Pasta: Almost any pasta will work, but spiral shapes are extra good for holding on to that sauce.

Close-up shot of a pasta dinner garnished with parsley.

Easy Sides To Serve With Pasta

To round out your meal, you can add an easy side or two to the menu. These recipes would be perfect.

Green Beans: I could eat green beans with just about anything, especially these fantastic Romano Beans with garlic butter. They are so “meaty” and full of flavor!
Caprese Salad: Go with the classic Caprese salad for a side dish that everyone will love. Or, take it a step further and make these Caprese Stuffed Avocados, full of healthy fat and gorgeous flavor.
Bruschetta: If you love garlic bread, you’ll crave this luscious Garlic Bread Bruschetta.

Storing and Reheating

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
To reheat the pasta, just place the desired amount in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or chicken broth as needed if it seems a bit dry. Stir occasionally until the whole dish is heated through.
To freeze this dish, transfer the cooled pasta to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, and squeeze out any excess air as you seal it. Store in the freezer for up to three months, and thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Keep in mind that the sauce consistency may suffer when frozen and thawed.