This creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta comes together in about 30 minutes, all in one pot, for a easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Trust me, this dish is a total win when you’re juggling the busy life of a family!
Ingredients
Let’s talk about what you’ll need to whip up this delicious Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta. Grab these easy-to-find ingredients:
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
6 strips bacon
Salt and pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cups uncooked pasta (Rotini recommended)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 cups half and half
2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cook the Bacon (about 8-10 minutes): In a large skillet over low heat, cook the strips of bacon until they become crispy oh, that smell is divine! Once they’re crisped to perfection, set them aside on a paper towel to catch the excess grease, and keep those drippings in the skillet for flavor.
Prepare the Chicken (5-7 minutes): While the bacon is cooking, slice the boneless skinless chicken breasts into thinner pieces. Season them with a couple pinches of salt and pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. When your bacon is done, crank up the heat to medium-high and sear the chicken in the delicious bacon drippings. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes, and make sure to scrape the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan for extra flavor. Once done, let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then cube it up.
Boil the Pasta (8-10 minutes): In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the rotini until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Make the Sauce (about 10 minutes): Using the same skillet (less cleanup, hooray!), melt the butter over medium heat. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Then, sprinkle in the flour, whisking to combine, your kitchen will smell amazing! Gradually add the half and half, stirring frequently to avoid lumps. Now, add the ranch seasoning and shredded cheddar cheese, and stir until everything is smooth and creamy.
Combine It All: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, toss in the cubed chicken, and finally, sprinkle the crispy chopped bacon on top. Stir everything together gently until well combined. Serve warm, and watch your family dive in!
If you loved this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta, be sure to check out my Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken, my King Ranch Chicken Casserole, or my Classic Hawaiian Chicken Tacos!
Why This Recipe Works
Comfort Food, Loaded with Tons of Flavor
There’s a reason why comfort food holds a special place in our hearts. This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is loaded with tons of flavor that wraps around you like a warm hug on a chilly day. The combination of cheese, bacon, and ranch seasoning makes it irresistibly delicious!
Quick and Easy, Comes Together in Under 30 Minutes
In today’s fast-paced world, this is the perfect recipe for those frantic weeknight dinners. With just a handful of ingredients and a cooking time of about 30 minutes, you’ll have dinner served before you know it. Say goodbye to long hours in the kitchen!
Customizable, Use Whatever Ingredients You Have
The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. Don’t have rotini? Use whatever pasta you have! Want to up the nutrition? Toss in some spinach or broccoli! This dish is perfect for cleaning out the fridge and using ingredients that are about to expire.
One Pot, Minimal Cleanup Required
I don’t know about you, but I’m always on the hunt for recipes that keep cleanup at a bare minimum. This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta can be cooked all in one skillet, meaning you won’t be spending all evening washing dishes. I call that a win!
Meal Prep Friendly, Perfect for Leftovers
If you’re a fan of meal prepping, make a double batch of this recipe to enjoy throughout the week. It reheats beautifully and tastes just as good on the second day.
Serving and Storage Tips
How to Serve This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta shines on its own, but serving it alongside a light salad or some garlic bread never hurts! You could even whip up some steamed veggies to round out the meal, it’ll make you feel that much better about indulging in the creamy goodness of this dish!
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Just make sure it’s cooled down to room temperature before placing it in the fridge.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply pop it in the microwave, covered, for about 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until it’s heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat it gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of milk if it seems too thick.
Freezer Friendly
You can freeze this dish! Just let it cool, then pack it in an airtight container or freezer bag. It’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and follow the reheating instructions above.
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta recipe is bound to become a staple in your household, just as it is in mine. You’ll definitely want to keep it handy for those busy nights when only comfort food will do!
Remember, cooking is all about experimenting, tweaking, and making it your own. So dive into your kitchen and get cooking!
Now, let’s get this delicious Pasta ready for your family to enjoy! Happy cooking! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Carnivore
Description
A creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta that comes together in about 30 minutes, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 strips bacon
- Salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (Rotini recommended)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet over low heat for about 8-10 minutes until crispy. Set aside and keep drippings in the skillet.
- Prepare the chicken by slicing it and seasoning with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Sear the chicken in the bacon drippings for 5-7 minutes until golden.
- Boil salted water in a separate pot and cook the rotini until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Make the sauce by melting butter in the skillet, adding minced garlic, then adding flour. Gradually whisk in half and half, add ranch seasoning and cheddar cheese, stirring until smooth.
- Combine the cooked pasta, cubed chicken, and crispy bacon with the sauce. Stir gently until well combined and serve warm.
Notes
This recipe is versatile; feel free to add your favorite vegetables or use different types of pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
