This chicken bacon ranch pasta is total comfort food! The creamy sauce is addictive, and it's ready in only 30 minutes.
Chicken, bacon, and ranch is a well-loved combo, and I am happy to deliver another recipe with these flavors (you may also like my Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad or this Bacon Ranch Tortellini). This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and fussy eaters!
How to make chicken bacon ranch pasta
This pasta dish is fairly straightforward. You start by frying the bacon, and once it's cooked you take it out of the skillet and fry the chicken in the remaining bacon fat (this makes it extra flavorful). You then take the chicken out of the pan and make the sauce by adding the cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and some chicken broth. It'll thicken up fairly quickly. Toss the sauce with the drained pasta (I like to stir in some bacon and keep the rest for garnishing each bowl). Dish it up and top each bowl with the chicken, and dinner is done. (Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below)
Recipe notes & tips:
- It's easy to overcook or undercook chicken when you're searing it in the pan, so I like to use an instant read meat thermometer so chicken is never overcooked (or undercooked). Chicken is safe to eat at 165F.
- This isn't the type of recipe that makes great leftovers. The sauce tends to dry out and can separate easily (especially if you're warming it up on high in a microwave). I recommend warming it up on a low heat.
- Can't find packaged ranch seasoning? You could try adding some bottled ranch dressing (I haven't tested this, but try a tablespoon or two to start with and add more if needed) or a homemade ranch seasoning.
- Use whatever shape of pasta you prefer, but I would say that the shorter shapes (penne etc.) are probably best for this particular recipe.
You may also like my Easy Ranch Chicken, Homemade Ranch Dressing or these Bacon Ranch Mashed Potatoes.
What to serve with chicken bacon ranch pasta:
Try a side salad (this recipe is quite decadent so something lighter goes well) or go all-out with some garlic bread. The portions for this recipe aren't huge, but it is filling. If you're not serving it with anything else and are feeding people with large appetites, I recommend keeping the chicken quantity the same but doubling the pasta and sauce.
You may also like:
Questions about this chicken bacon ranch pasta? Made this recipe? Let me know in the comments below. Tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram so I can see your creations!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta
- 2 chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 4 strips bacon cut into small pieces
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese (a block of Philly) softened
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese optional, to taste
Instructions
- Boil a salted pot of water and cook the pasta al dente according to package directions. If you haven't had time to let the cream cheese soften on the counter prior to starting the recipe, microwave it for 20-30 seconds or until it's very soft.
- Meanwhile, cut the bacon into small pieces (kitchen shears make the job easy), and cook it over medium-high heat until crispy. Once it's done, spoon the bacon onto a paper towel lined plate. Leave the bacon fat in the pan.
- While the bacon is cooking, cut the chicken in half lengthwise so you've got 4 thinner pieces. Season the chicken with the garlic powder and some salt & pepper (but go easy on the salt since the ranch seasoning and bacon are fairly salty).
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook it in the remaining bacon grease for 5-6 minutes/side or until golden and cooked through. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and keep warm (cover loosely with foil).
- Add the chicken broth, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring until the cream cheese has melted in and the sauce thickens up a bit. Keep in mind that the sauce will thicken up quickly and thickens more after it cools a bit. You can always add a splash more chicken broth or hot pasta water if it gets too thick.
- Meanwhile, cut the cooked chicken into strips.
- Toss the drained pasta with the sauce (stir in some bacon and reserve some for topping each bowl if you want). Top each bowl with the cooked chicken and some freshly grated parmesan if desired.
Notes
- This recipe is quite rich, so I kept the portions fairly small. If you've got very hungry people to feed, I recommend either serving this with a side or keeping the chicken the same but doubling the sauce (and adding more pasta).
- Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Carolyn says
Hello. Do you think that I can substitute the a can of cream of chicken soup for the broth and cream cheese? I thought I had broth and I don't.
Thanks.
Natasha says
Hi! I think you could try, but it'll definitely alter the flavor. I don't normally cook with "cream of" soups, so I don't really feel confident in giving you an answer. I am a bit worried that it may end up too salty since bacon is salty as is condensed soup and so is ranch seasoning. I'd probably just sub water for the broth if you do have cream cheese.
Janice says
Really really good. My husband is a professional chef so it’s hard to cook something for him he hasn’t had, but he gave this big complements!
Natasha says
Fantastic!! That makes me happy 🙂
Zue307 says
Made it for dinner now. Added a little bit if water to lessen the thickness. Something different with ranch dressing, apart from the normal creamy sauce. Thank you, Natasha.. ,
Natasha says
You're welcome!!
Nicole M. says
Sooo good!!! I didn’t think it was overly rich but I did add a little bit of parmesan into the sauce before combining everything and they may have cut the richness. Thank you for another amazingly delicious recipe!
Natasha says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! 🙂 Thanks for leaving me a review!
L says
We found the sauce was a bit too rich, I think next time I’d cut the cream cheese by half. Otherwise, it was great!
Natasha says
Yup, it's definitely pretty rich! I'm glad you liked it, though 🙂
Lauren says
Do you think any kind of Ranch will do? I buy the Penzeys spices and they make their own Ranch mix.
Natasha says
It's hard to say, but I think it's definitely worth a try. 🙂 Let me know!
Flo says
This looks good but wowie, looking at the nutritional facts is SUPER unhealthy!!!
Natasha says
I removed your 2-star rating since you didn't actually make the recipe. No, it's not healthy. But neither is going out for a burger, having a donut, or ordering pizza. Life is about balance. 🙂
Jeanne says
This was so delicious!! Was given a thumbs up by all my dinner guests and I've passed on your Instagram to everyone! Thanks so much for your yummy and yet easy to prepare recipes.
Natasha says
That makes me so happy, Jeanne! Thanks so much for taking the time to review the recipe. And I really appreciate you sharing my Instagram! 🙂