Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta: A 30-Minute Dinner

Some flavor combinations are simply legendary, and at the top of that list is the holy trinity of comfort food: chicken, bacon, and ranch. It’s a trio that promises savory, smoky, and creamy satisfaction in every bite. This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta recipe takes that iconic flavor profile and transforms it into a quick, easy, and incredibly delicious weeknight dinner. We’re talking about tender chicken and crispy bacon tossed with pasta in a luscious, cheesy ranch sauce. Best of all, this entire crowd-pleasing meal comes together in about 30 minutes, making it the perfect solution for busy evenings.

Ingredients for Your Pasta

This recipe uses simple, powerhouse ingredients to create a rich and flavorful pasta dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

this now & bake later ❤️

Timing

Get ready for a new weeknight champion! This entire meal comes together from start to finish in about half an hour.

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes

Step-by-Step Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Follow these simple steps to create a skillet full of creamy, cheesy, bacon-filled goodness.

Step 1: Cook the Bacon Until Crispy

Place the bacon strips in a large, cold skillet and set the heat to medium-low. Cook the bacon slowly, turning occasionally, until it is brown and perfectly crisp. This low-and-slow method renders the fat beautifully. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, and reserve about one tablespoon of the bacon drippings in the skillet. Once the bacon is cool, roughly chop it.

Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken

Slice the chicken breasts horizontally into thinner cutlets for faster cooking. Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Increase the heat under the skillet to medium-high. Sear the chicken in the hot bacon drippings for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet, let it rest for a few minutes, then cube it.

Step 3: Boil the Pasta

While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to the package directions until it is al dente (tender with a slight bite). Drain the pasta well and set it aside.

Step 4: Create the Creamy Ranch Sauce

In the same skillet used for the chicken, reduce the heat to medium. Melt the butter, then add the minced garlic and sauté for about one minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for one minute to form a paste (a roux). Gradually pour in the half and half, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Stir in the dry ranch seasoning and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

Once the sauce is simmering and has slightly thickened, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it has completely melted into a smooth, luscious sauce. Add the cooked pasta and the cubed chicken to the skillet. Stir everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the creamy sauce. Serve warm, garnished with the crispy chopped bacon.

Nutritional Information

Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving, assuming 6 servings.

• Calories: ~650 kcal
• Protein: 35 g
• Fat: 38 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g

Healthier Alternatives & Variations

This indulgent dish can be easily lightened up with a few smart substitutions.

• Leaner Swaps: Use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon, and use a low-fat milk instead of half and half for the sauce. You can also use a reduced-fat cheddar cheese.
• Add Veggies: This pasta is a great base for adding vegetables. Stir in a cup of steamed broccoli florets or sweet peas at the end for a pop of color and extra nutrients.
• Boost the Protein: Use a protein-fortified or chickpea-based pasta to increase the protein and fiber content of the dish.

Serving Suggestions

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a hearty, all-in-one meal that stands beautifully on its own.

• The Perfect Garnish: A sprinkle of freshly sliced green onions or chopped parsley over the top adds a touch of freshness that cuts through the richness of the sauce.
• On the Side: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or a side of roasted broccoli or asparagus makes for a well-rounded dinner.
• For the Sauce: Don’t let any of that creamy ranch sauce go to waste! Serve with a side of warm garlic bread for dipping.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

For a perfect pasta dish every time, keep these simple tips in mind.

• A Lumpy Sauce: This happens when you add liquid to your flour and butter mixture (roux) too quickly. Solution: After cooking the flour and butter for a minute, pour in the half and half slowly and gradually, while whisking constantly. This will ensure a perfectly smooth and creamy sauce.
• Overcooked, Mushy Pasta: Since the pasta will be tossed in a hot sauce, it can continue to cook and become too soft. Solution: Cook your pasta just until it is al dente. Draining it when it still has a firm bite will ensure it has the perfect texture in the finished dish.
• Rubbery or Burnt Bacon: Cooking bacon too quickly on high heat is a common mistake. Solution: Always start bacon in a cold skillet over low to medium-low heat. This allows the fat to render out slowly, resulting in evenly cooked, perfectly crisp bacon.

Storing Tips

Leftovers are a delicious and easy lunch for the next day!

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: The sauce will thicken as it cools. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or half and half to loosen the sauce and make it creamy again. You can also reheat it in the microwave.

Conclusion

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is the ultimate comfort food mashup. It’s a quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying meal that brings together the flavors everyone loves in one simple skillet dinner. It’s the perfect recipe for those busy nights when you need a guaranteed family-pleaser without a lot of fuss or cleanup. We know this will become a fast favorite in your home. Let us know how much you loved it in the comments below!

FAQs

Q1. Can I use a different kind of pasta?

Yes! While rotini is great for catching the sauce, this recipe works well with other short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or cavatappi.

Q2. Can I use leftover cooked chicken?

Absolutely! This is a fantastic recipe for using up leftover rotisserie or grilled chicken. Simply cube about 2 cups of cooked chicken and add it to the sauce at the end with the pasta to heat through.

Q3. Can I use bottled ranch dressing instead of the dry mix?

It’s not recommended. Bottled ranch dressing has a different consistency and ingredient profile that can make the sauce thin or oily. The dry seasoning mix is essential for creating the rich, creamy sauce and providing concentrated flavor.

Q4. How can I make this dish spicy?

For a little kick, add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the skillet when you sauté the garlic. You could also add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce to the finished sauce.

Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta: A 30-Minute Dinner

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• Author: Evelyn Marcella Rivera
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with crispy bacon—this quick chicken bacon ranch pasta is a weeknight hero the whole family will devour.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 2 cups uncooked rotini pasta

Protein

• 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (sliced into thin cutlets, then cubed after cooking)
• 6 strips bacon (cooked until crisp, chopped; reserve 1 Tbsp drippings)

Sauce & Seasoning

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp fresh garlic, minced
• 2 cups half and half
• 2 tbsp dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
• 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Cook the bacon: Place 6 bacon strips in a large cold skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, turning occasionally, until browned and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Reserve about 1 tablespoon bacon drippings in the skillet and roughly chop the bacon.
2. Season & sear chicken: Slice 2 small chicken breasts horizontally into thinner cutlets. Season both sides with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Increase heat to medium-high and sear in the bacon drippings for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Rest briefly, then cube.
3. Boil pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 2 cups rotini to al dente according to package directions. Drain well; set aside.
4. Make ranch cream sauce: In the same skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute more. Gradually whisk in half and half until smooth. Stir in dry ranch seasoning and bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Finish & serve: Reduce heat to low; stir in cheddar until fully melted and smooth. Add cooked pasta and cubed chicken, tossing to coat. Serve warm topped with the crispy chopped bacon.

Notes

Tip: For extra silky sauce, add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed. Swap rotini with penne or shells, and adjust ranch seasoning to taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Main Course, Pasta
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 4
• Sodium: 980
• Fat: 38
• Saturated Fat: 18
• Carbohydrates: 40
• Fiber: 2
• Protein: 35
• Cholesterol: 120