Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a dreamy dish that effortlessly combines all your favorite flavors. With creamy ranch, smoky bacon, and hearty chicken mixed with perfectly cooked pasta, this recipe feels like a cozy hug with every bite. It is perfect for family dinners or casual entertaining, promising a flavor explosion that’ll have everyone lining up for seconds.
What's the secret to turning a standard weeknight dinner into a memorable meal without spending hours in the kitchen?
This cheesy chicken pasta is the perfect place to start!
This pasta dish is warm, comforting, and oh-so-satisfying. Get ready to add a new favorite to your dinner rotation!
Looking for more ranch bacon pasta fun? Don’t miss my Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad and Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole.
Ingredients and Substitutes
- Bacon: Turkey bacon makes a great alternative in your chicken bacon pasta.
- Chicken: Short on time? You could pick up a rotisserie chicken or use leftover cooked chicken to make this easy stovetop casserole.
- Italian Seasoning: Don't have it? Mix up a little basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme. You've got yourself a homemade blend! Dill, garlic powder, and onion powder are other great seasonings to consider.
- Sea Salt: Kosher salt may also be used.
- Short Pasta: Penne pasta, cavatappi, rotini, elbows, and bowties are all perfect. Gluten-free? There are fantastic options out there made from rice, corn, or quinoa that work just as well.
- Unsalted Butter: For a dairy-free version, consider using a plant-based butter.
- Flour: If you're steering clear of gluten, a gluten-free flour blend can do the trick nicely.
- Half and Half: A mix of coconut milk and almond milk can be a great dairy-free substitute without sacrificing creaminess.
- Cream Cheese, Cubed: Adds that irresistibly smooth, tangy flavor in your bacon chicken ranch pasta. There are numerous plant-based cream cheeses available that work wonderfully for those avoiding dairy.
- Dry Ranch Seasoning: Use my homemade ranch seasoning or buy it. Use coconut milk powder to make dairy-free ranch.
- Shredded Parmesan Cheese: It's all about that salty, nutty finish. Cheddar cheese could also be used.
Step by Step
For the full chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe with measurements, see the recipe card at the end of the post.
Serving Suggestions
- Air Fryer Asparagus: It's a simple side dish that complements the creamy richness of the pasta.
- Baked Parmesan Asparagus: It's a cheesy, crunchy treat that echoes the Parmesan in the pasta and adds a delightful texture contrast.
- Green Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette: Sometimes, you just need something light and refreshing to balance out a hearty meal, and a crisp green salad drizzled with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette does just the trick.
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts: If you've not jumped on the Brussels sprouts bandwagon yet, now's the time. Tossed in a bit of oil and seasoned simply with salt and pepper, these little guys become caramelized and delicious in the air fryer—an earthy, slightly bitter complement that stands up to the savory flavors of our pasta.
Storage
- Once cooked, store Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To reheat, add a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent the pasta from drying out. Microwave or heat on the stovetop until warm.
Freezing
- You can freeze the Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta in an airtight container. It should keep for 3 months. Be sure to let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bacon
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 16 ounces short pasta penne, cavatelli, bow ties, etc
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 ½ cups half and half
- 8 ounce cream cheese cubed
- 3 ½ tablespoons dry ranch seasoning 1-package
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet to medium-low. Add the bacon, and cook until crisp. Remove the bacon from the skillet and cool on a paper towel lined plate. When it is cool enough to handle, crumble and then set aside.
- While the bacon is cooking, season both sides of the chicken with Italian seasoning and salt.
- Increase the heat of the skillet to medium-high. Add the chicken to the bacon grease and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove to a plate and diced.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water
- While the pasta cooks, melt the butter over medium heat in the same skillet that the chicken and bacon cooked in. Sprinkle with the flour and whisk for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the half and half and â…“ cup of the reserved pasta water and cook for 4 minutes. Add the cream cheese and ranch seasoning and cook for another 3 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium low, and add the parmesan cheese cook for another 2 minutes, until the cheese melts. Add more of the reserved pasta water as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
- Stir in the chicken and pasta and cook for another 2 minutes. Sprinkle with the bacon and serve warm.
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