Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

 

🍝 Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Creamy, Cheesy, and Packed with Flavor — Your New Weeknight Favorite!

When comfort food calls, few things hit the spot like a creamy bowl of pasta — and this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is the ultimate answer. It's rich, hearty, and bursting with bold flavors, thanks to the magic combo of ranch seasoning, juicy chicken, and crispy bacon all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and gooey cheese.

Whether you're feeding a hungry family, meal-prepping for the week, or just craving something seriously satisfying, this recipe checks all the boxes. It's easy to make, uses pantry staples, and comes together in under 40 minutes.

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⭐ Why You’ll Love It

• Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly savory

• Perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks

• Totally customizable with your favorite add-ins

• Makes great leftovers (if there are any!)

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📝 Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or shells work best)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (or thighs), cut into bite-sized pieces

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning (or more to taste)

• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 ½ cups heavy cream or half-and-half

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed to loosen sauce)

• Chopped parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)

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👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Cook the pasta
   Boil the pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

2. Cook the chicken
   In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and ranch seasoning. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.

3. Make the sauce
   In the same pan, add heavy cream, garlic powder (if using), and shredded cheese. Stir until melted and smooth. Add pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired sauce consistency.

4. Combine everything
   Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and bacon to the skillet. Toss everything together until evenly coated and heated through.

5. Serve
   Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions if desired, and serve hot!

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💡 Tips & Variations

• Make it spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or use pepper jack cheese.

• Veggie boost: Toss in some spinach, broccoli, or sun-dried tomatoes.

• No heavy cream? Use half-and-half or a mix of milk and cream cheese.

• Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta and check your ranch mix.

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🧡 Final Thoughts

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is the kind of meal that turns a regular night into something special. It’s indulgent, full of flavor, and so simple to make — a recipe you’ll keep coming back to when you want dinner on the table fast and delicious.

Serve it with a crisp green salad or garlic bread, and you’ve got a comfort food feast the whole family will love.