Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

I’ve been making this recipe for a couple of years now, and I never get tired of it. Neither does my family. Tender, white meat chicken comes together with bacon and pasta shells in a rich, creamy ranch alfredo sauce, making a meal that explodes with flavor in every bite. Of course, being easy is also a huge bonus of this dish, as well. I remember when my kids were still at home, and I had to juggle dinner, afterschool activities, driving them to friends’ houses, and everything else that moms do. Recipes like this were a lifesaver!

Why You’ll Love This Bacon Chicken Ranch Pasta

• It’s so creamy, cheesy, and delicious and it is always a huge crowd-pleaser.
• It’s a super hearty pasta recipe, so you’ll be satisfied for hours after you eat it.
• The leftovers are just as good the next day! That’s always a plus.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Tips and Variations

This is a quick and easy recipe that will have you in and out of the kitchen in no time. Still, even easy recipes have little tweaks that help make them even better. I have some great tips here that will help you make this recipe the best it can be. I also have some variations to keep things interesting, as well.

Tips

• Cook the pasta to al dente so it isn’t mushy by the time you finish the dish.
• For deeper flavor, only flip your chicken breasts once during cooking to get them nice and golden.
• Always pound your chicken breasts to uniform thickness for even cooking.

Variations

• Use any of your favorite white cheeses for this recipe.
• You can use any short pasta for this dish like penne pasta, bowtie pasta, rotini pasta just to name a few.
• For more flavor, add vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or any of your favorites.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta FAQ

If you have questions about this chicken bacon ranch alfredo, then read on. The following FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about this recipe.

Can this chicken pasta recipe be made in advance?

Partly. You can make the chicken and sauce in advance. Then, simply cook the pasta the next day and add it to the dish.

What is the best pasta to use with a creamy sauce?

Any pasta will work with a creamy sauce, really. However, for this dish, short pasta noodles work best.

Can you freeze leftover chicken alfredo?

Yes, but only without the noodles. Noodles can’t normally stand up to being reheated from frozen. So if you plan to make extra only freeze the chicken and sauce.

How long will this recipe last in the fridge?

It will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken and sauce for up to 3 months.

What to Serve with Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

This is a hearty, cheesy dish full of both chicken and pasta, so keep your sides light. I recommend a side salad or some crusty bread with a little butter.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients to deliver big flavor. You’ll find them all easily at your local grocery store.

For the Chicken

• Chicken breasts, boneless skinless, cut into 1 inch pieces
• Butter
• Dry ranch seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Slap Ya Mama® seasoning
• Black pepper
• Paprika

For the Sauce

• Chicken broth, low sodium
• Heavy cream
• Sharp cheddar
• White cheddar cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Dry ranch seasoning
• Fresh spinach
• Medium pasta shells
• Onion
• Cloves garlic
• Bacon
• Grape tomatoes
• Sliced green onions

How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Making this recipe is very easy. It only takes a few simple steps to put it all together.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente, then drain and set it aside.

Step 2: Fry the Bacon

Fry the bacon in a large frying pan, or large skillet, until it’s crispy. Transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the excess grease. Once cool enough to handle, break up the bacon into coarse crumbles and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Beat the chicken breasts to the desired thickness, cut into 1-inch pieces, and season with garlic salt, pepper, Slap Ya Mama, paprika, and dry ranch seasoning. Then, melt butter in a large pan and cook the chicken breasts for 7 to 9 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

Step 4: Cook the Vegetables

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the same pan used to cook the chicken and add onions and garlic. Cook until the onions are translucent.

Step 5: Add Remaining Sauce Ingredients

Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Then, add the dry ranch dressing, sharp cheddar, white cheddar, and parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with Slap Ya Mama seasoning, paprika, garlic salt, and stir well to mix.

Step 6: Simmer

Let the sauce come to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Add the spinach and let the sauce simmer for 4 to 5 minutes.

Step 7: Complete the Dish

Add the pasta, chicken, bacon, and tomatoes. Stir to combine, garnish with sliced green onions, optional, and then serve!

Try This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe Today

This delicious chicken bacon ranch pasta is a hearty, cheesy, delicious dish that everyone in the family will love. It’s full of flavor, but it’s not full of a lot of work. In just a few minutes, you’ll have an absolutely fantastic dish! Give it a try for dinner tonight, and I know you’ll love it as much as I do.

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Enjoy

Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad – This is a hearty cobb salad recipe that is loaded with grilled chicken, diced ham, shredded cheese, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and ranch dressing. 

Buffalo Chicken Pasta – Loaded with perfectly seasoned chicken and covered in a creamy buffalo sauce. This is the perfect comfort food recipe that is quick and easy to make.

Chicken Stroganoff Casserole – This chicken stroganoff casserole is loaded with deliciously seasoned chicken, onions, mushrooms, and a creamy stroganoff sauce. It is the ultimate comfort meal.

And, here is a delicious Chicken Alfredo Pasta from Deliciously Seasoned. This pasta is loaded with perfectly seasoned chicken, shell noodles, and a creamy homemade alfredo sauce.