Description
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a creamy and flavorful dish combining tender chicken breasts, crispy bacon, and a rich ranch-seasoned cream cheese sauce tossed with pasta. This easy-to-make recipe yields a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners, featuring the harmonious blend of savory bacon, seasoned chicken, and parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 chicken breasts (cut in half lengthwise)
- 4 strips bacon (cut into small pieces)
Pasta & Dairy
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta
- 8 ounces cream cheese (a block of Philly, softened)
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional, to taste)
Seasonings & Liquids
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions. If the cream cheese isn’t softened beforehand, microwave it for 20-30 seconds until very soft to prepare for the sauce.
- Prepare the Bacon: Using kitchen shears, cut the bacon into small pieces. Cook the bacon over medium-high heat in a skillet until crispy. Once done, remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain, leaving the bacon fat in the pan for cooking the chicken.
- Season the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts lengthwise into four thinner pieces. Season them evenly with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, keeping salt light since the ranch seasoning and bacon add saltiness.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Cook each side for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Make the Ranch Sauce: In the same skillet, add the low-sodium chicken broth, softened cream cheese, and ranch seasoning. Stir continuously over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the cream cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly. Adjust the sauce consistency by adding a splash more chicken broth or hot pasta water if it becomes too thick.
- Slice the Chicken: While the sauce simmers, cut the cooked chicken into strips for serving.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the drained pasta into the skillet with the ranch sauce and mix well. Stir in most of the crispy bacon pieces, reserving some for garnish. Plate the pasta, top with chicken strips, the reserved bacon, and sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, use full-fat cream cheese and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
- Adjust salt carefully since bacon and ranch seasoning add saltiness.
- You can substitute any pasta shape, but short pasta like penne or rotini works best for holding the sauce.
- If sauce thickens too much after resting, loosen with additional chicken broth or pasta water before serving.
- Use kitchen shears to cut bacon easily and minimize mess.
