🍗🥓🧀 Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with smoky bacon, tender chicken, and classic ranch flavor — this comforting pasta dish is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Pasta & Chicken
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rotini, or bow ties)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- 6 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Creamy Ranch Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 oz)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup pasta water (as needed)
Garnish
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley or green onions
- Extra bacon and cheese for topping (optional)
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
- Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Prepare the chicken and bacon
- Cook bacon until crispy, crumble, and set aside.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- If using raw chicken, cook in olive oil until golden and fully cooked, then slice.
3. Make the ranch cream sauce
- Melt butter in a large skillet.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Stir in cream cheese until smooth.
- Add heavy cream and ranch seasoning.
- Simmer for 3–5 minutes until creamy.
- Mix in cheddar and mozzarella until melted.
4. Combine everything
- Add cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce.
- Toss until coated.
- Add pasta water if needed for a silky sauce.
- Stir in half of the bacon.
5. Serve
Top with:
- Remaining bacon
- Extra cheese
- Fresh parsley or green onions
Tips & Variations
🔥 Spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
🥦 Add veggies: Broccoli, spinach, or peas work beautifully.
🍗 Extra creamy: Add a little more cream cheese for a richer sauce.
🧀 Oven-baked version: Place in a casserole dish, top with cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes.
Pair it with: garlic bread, Caesar salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete comfort meal. 🍝✨