Irresistible Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe for Dinner Magic

Creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta brings together irresistible flavors that dance across your plate with mouthwatering precision.

Comfort food meets gourmet delight in this simple yet elegant dish.

Crispy bacon pieces add a salty crunch while tender chicken creates satisfying protein-packed bites.

Hearty ranch seasoning weaves through each noodle, promising maximum deliciousness in every forkful.

Weeknight dinners suddenly become extraordinary with this crowd-pleasing combination of ingredients.

Rich and indulgent, this pasta promises to become your new go-to meal that everyone will request again and again.

You won’t be able to resist seconds of this incredible culinary creation.

Why Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Is A Weeknight Winner

• Customize with Ease: Transform this dish by swapping chicken for turkey or adding your favorite vegetables for a personalized touch.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Packed with rich flavors of bacon, ranch, and cheese, this pasta bake guarantees smiles around the dinner table.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Requiring minimal prep and cooking steps, this recipe delivers a satisfying meal without extensive kitchen time.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimal dishes and straightforward ingredients make cleanup a breeze, perfect for busy home cooks seeking convenience.

What You’ll Need For Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

• Chicken Breast: A lean protein that provides a hearty and satisfying base for the pasta dish.
• Pasta: The core component that creates a comforting and filling meal.
• Bacon: Adds a smoky and crispy texture to enhance the overall flavor profile.

• Heavy Cream, Chicken Broth: Create a rich and creamy sauce that binds all ingredients together.
• Cheddar Cheese: Provides a sharp and melty topping that adds depth and richness to the dish.

• Ranch Seasoning Mix, Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: Deliver a well-balanced and flavorful seasoning blend.
• Parsley, Green Onions: Offer a fresh and vibrant garnish that brightens the final presentation.

Easy Steps For Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Step 1: Preheat And Prepare Oven

Turn the oven to 375°F and grab a large baking dish ready for the delicious pasta creation.

Step 2: Prepare Bacon

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook bacon until crispy and golden. Chop into small, crunchy pieces once cooled.

Step 3: Cook Pasta

Boil pasta in salted water until perfectly tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 4: Season And Cook Chicken

• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Sauté in the same skillet used for bacon until golden brown and fully cooked.

Step 5: Create Creamy Ranch Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth
• Ranch seasoning mix

Blend until smooth and well combined.

Step 6: Layer Pasta Bake

• Seasoned chicken pieces
• Crumbled bacon bits

Step 7: Add Creamy Sauce

Pour ranch cream sauce evenly over the pasta mixture, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 8: Add Cheese Topping

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the entire dish for a melty, golden finish.

Step 9: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 10: Garnish And Serve

• Freshly chopped parsley
• Sliced green onions

Let the pasta rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.

Helpful Cooking Tips For Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

• Perfectly Dice Chicken: Cut chicken into uniform 1-inch cubes to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
• Bacon Crisp Technique: Render bacon slowly over medium heat to achieve maximum crispiness without burning, enhancing overall flavor profile.
• Pasta Water Pro Tip: Reserve a small amount of pasta water before draining, which can help adjust sauce consistency if needed during final preparation.
• Cheese Melting Magic: Allow cheese to cover entire dish surface evenly, creating a golden, bubbling top that adds rich, creamy texture to the pasta bake.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Sprinkle chopped parsley and green onions just before serving to introduce bright, fresh notes that cut through the dish's richness.

Yummy Variations Of Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

• Low-Carb Ranch Chicken Pasta: Replace traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, keto-friendly version with reduced carbohydrates.
• Vegetarian Ranch Bake: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, using vegetable bacon bits or smoked tempeh for protein and texture.
• Gluten-Free Ranch Pasta: Use gluten-free pasta or spiralized vegetables, replacing ranch seasoning mix with homemade herbs and ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Mediterranean Inspired Variation: Swap cheddar cheese with crumbled feta, add sun-dried tomatoes, and incorporate oregano and basil for a Mediterranean-style ranch chicken pasta experience.

Tasty Pairings For Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

• Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: A buttery, oak-aged Chardonnay complements the creamy ranch sauce and cuts through the richness of bacon and cheese, creating a balanced flavor profile.
• Match with Tangy Coleslaw: A zesty, vinegar-based coleslaw provides a refreshing crunch and acidic contrast to the heavy, creamy pasta dish, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Serve with Garlic Breadsticks: Warm, herbed garlic breadsticks help soak up the extra ranch sauce and add a complementary texture to the cheesy, bacon-loaded pasta.
• Complement with Sparkling Water: A cold, effervescent sparkling water with a slice of lemon cuts through the dish's richness and provides a light, palate-cleansing accompaniment.

How To Store Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Right

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, maintaining delicious flavors and texture.
• Transfer pasta to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze up to 2 months, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Place single serving in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add splash of chicken broth to restore creamy consistency.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.

Quick Questions About Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Answered

• Is this dish spicy?

No, this ranch chicken pasta is mild and creamy with savory flavors from bacon, chicken, and ranch seasoning. You can add red pepper flakes if you want heat.

• Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Yes, rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken works perfectly. Just dice it and mix into the pasta before baking for a quick meal.

• What if I don't have ranch seasoning mix?

You can substitute with a blend of dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried parsley to create a similar ranch-like flavor profile.

• Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely! This pasta bake reheats well and stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it an excellent option for preparing meals in advance.

Deli-style Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta delivers comfort and flavor in one spectacular dish. Rich parmesan, crispy bacon, and tender chicken mingle with ranch seasoning for a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lbs chicken breast
• 0.5 lbs bacon

Pasta and Base:

• 1 lb penne pasta or rotini
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup chicken broth

Seasonings and Extras:

• 2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 green onions, chopped

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish for the pasta.
2. Dice the chicken breast into bite-sized cubes, ensuring uniform pieces for even cooking.
3. Crisp the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and fully rendered, then chop into small pieces.
4. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
5. In the same skillet used for bacon, sauté the chicken cubes with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Combine heavy cream and chicken broth in a mixing bowl, whisking in the ranch seasoning mix until smooth and well-incorporated.
7. Layer the cooked pasta in the prepared baking dish, topping with seasoned chicken and crumbled bacon pieces.
8. Pour the creamy ranch sauce evenly over the pasta mixture, ensuring all ingredients are well-coated.
9. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the dish for a rich, melty finish.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and slightly bubbly.
11. Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and green onions for a burst of color and fresh flavor.
12. Let the pasta rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set and flavors to meld together.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is cut into uniform pieces to guarantee even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
• Drain bacon on paper towels to remove excess grease, which helps maintain the dish’s overall texture and prevents sogginess.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like monterey jack or pepper jack for added flavor complexity and personal preference.
• Make the recipe gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with chickpea or zucchini noodles and using a gluten-free ranch seasoning mix.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 700
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 860 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 42 g
• Cholesterol: 170 mg