Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is the perfect dinner to whip up tonight! It’s a delicious meal you can pull together quickly, with lots of flavor and some handy shortcuts to get dinner on the table in no time.
Weeknights around here are always a bit of a scramble, no matter what. I’m constantly looking for something that everyone will actually eat and that I can get on the table fast – and this pasta totally delivers!
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is creamy, cheesy, and loaded with ranch flavor, crispy bacon, and tender chicken – it’s sure to be your family’s new favorite! It’s an easy dinner that comes together fast, using a few smart shortcuts for even more convenience.
Here’s a little secret: I’m not above grabbing a rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked shredded chicken from the deli to get dinner on the table even quicker.
Are you making this for dinner tonight? Let me know how it turns out!
Cheesy pasta of any kind is always going to be a hit with my entire family (check out my Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake, Skillet Mac and Cheese or my Chicken Tomato Pasta for another couple of easy pasta recipes). For a comforting one-pan pasta loaded with chicken and mushrooms, you’ll love my Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta, which delivers rich flavor in just 35 minutes.
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below, but you can jump right to the recipe card if you wish!
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Why you’ll love this recipe
- Easy – this dinner is cooked in one pot! The best part is that it’s done really fast, too!
- Simple ingredients – everything to make this recipe can be found at your local grocery store.
For another cheesy chicken dinner loaded with bacon, give Alice Springs Chicken a try – it’s an Outback copycat where chicken is marinated in honey mustard then baked under bacon, mushrooms, and cheese.
If you’re into easy pasta recipes, try this delicious King Ranch Chicken Casserole or this lightened Chili Mac & Cheese. Love a good one pot pasta? You’ll enjoy my One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta too!
What to serve with pasta
For a more complete meal, add a green salad, like my Arugula Salad and some Garlic Knots or Garlic Bread.
Grab my Pasta alla vodka recipe, or my One Pot Mexican Pasta too!
Key Recipe Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts is found in the printable recipe card below.
- Bacon. Cook this ahead, or grab it precooked bacon from the grocery store. I use a thick cut fresh bacon, and cook until crispy and drain on paper towels. Try turkey bacon, or bacon bits. The point is for this to be super easy.
- Chicken. I use a rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken from another meal. If you don’t have chicken hanging around, you can poach chicken breasts in a little broth until cooked, then dice.
- Chicken Stock. Make your own chicken stock, or grab a carton.
- Dry Pasta. Any shape will do, although I find short pasta to be better. I wouldn’t use cooked pasta, since the flavor is achieved by cooking the pasta in the stock and ranch mixture.
- Ranch seasoning. This is the dry ranch dressing mix that you find in either a jar or an envelope at the grocery store. You can make ranch seasoning mix yourself, if you like! Check out this recipe from Culinary Hill.
You could use ranch dressing in a pinch if that is what you have. You might want to add a little extra to get the full ranch flavor. Maybe a little onion powder and garlic powder to boost it fully. - Heavy cream. It’s only a little bit, but if you want to, you can use half and half or regular or skim milk instead. You can also use sour cream if that’s what you have.
- Cream cheese. Use a low fat one if you prefer.
- Cheddar Cheese. I used pre shredded sharp cheddar cheese in this case, but pick your favorite or what you have on hand (Monterey Jack cheese, or medium cheddar work well).
How to make this recipe
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This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Heat the stock over medium heat in a large skillet or dutch oven. Whisk in the ranch seasoning and cream, then add the pasta.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low heat and cook until most of the stock has absorbed (and the pasta is al dente aka tender, but still has a bite to it).
Add the cream cheese, cooked chicken, bacon, and cheddar to pan.
Remove from heat. Stir until cheese has melted and the sauce is thickened. Devour.
Kylee’s Notes
Use pre cooked bacon, pre cooked chicken and pre shredded cheese to make this SUPER fast.
Use macaroni, rotini, farfalle or penne pasta – any short pasta you have at home.
Fresh parsley or sliced green onions make a great garnish, but are totally optional.
What to do with leftovers
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat until it is piping hot!
More easy recipes:
- Chili Mac with Turkey. We’re bringing childhood back! Lightened-up with turkey vs beef, and made in one pan – this one is a family favorite!
- Skillet Mac & Cheese. Comfort food at its finest, this skillet mac & cheese is so easy! Just the skillet and a pasta pot, the and a quick broil, and this is ready FAST!
- Florentine Chicken Lasagna Rolls Spinach, garlic, and cheese are all winners for this weeknight dinner! Delicious homemade Alfredo sauce is the key to these!
- Ham Tetrazzini. A super-fast weeknight dinner, this Ham Tetrazzini is a spin on the traditional version and is sure to please the whole family.
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (One Pot)
Video
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup bacon (cooked, crumbled)
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 8 ounces dry pasta (choose your favorite shape!)
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- 1/3 cup heavy cream (can use half and half or milk)
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese (shredded)
Directions
Get Prepped
- Cook 3/4 cup bacon in a large skillet until until crispy, remove from pan and crumble. Set aside
Make the sauce
- Heat 4 cups chicken stock in a large skillet or dutch oven. Whisk in 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning and 1/3 cup heavy cream, then add the 8 ounces dry pasta.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook until most of the stock has absorbed (and the pasta is tender).
Add the good stuff
- Add the 1 tablespoon cream cheese, 2 cups cooked chicken, 3/4 cup bacon, and 8 ounces cheddar cheese to pan.
- Stir until cheese has melted and the sauce is thickened.
- Remove from heat.
- Devour.
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Notes
Nutrition Facts
Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Update: This recipe was originally published in May of 2016. It was republished with updated photos in May of 2021.
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