Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is the easy and delicious pasta recipe you’ve been looking for!  Creamy, cheesy and packed with loads of rich flavor!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a family favorite chicken recipe in our house.  And, what’s not to love?  Made with cups of shredded cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, moist chicken breast and ranch seasoning mix. You cannot resist this chicken ranch pasta, guys! 

My beautiful friend, Lauren of The Tasty Travelers, and I made this pasta recipe together a few months back.  We had heard mixed reviews about chicken bacon ranch pasta online so we made a few modifications to our recipe to get it just right. 

The dish turned out so flavorful and creamy.  Pure comfort food.  Even better, it serves up to 6 people in under 20 minutes.  

Also, if you have a pressure cooker, be sure to follow the recipe here to make this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta in your Instant Pot. 

Like many of our other pasta recipes (if you haven’t tried the Instant Pot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta, it’s also a must!), it can be modified to your or your families liking. 

For example, if you’d prefer your chicken ranch pasta be made with penne pasta as opposed to bow-tie, go for it!  If you want it take out the crispy bacon, do that, too.  Prefer to add a bit more shredded cheddar cheese? Go for it!  Side note, we occasionally add a bit of mozzarella cheese, too.  

Below, we’re sharing our tips, key ingredients and suggestions on how to make this the best Chicken Ranch Pasta you’ll ever try.  If you make it, be sure to share online and tag us!  Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!  

TIPS FOR MAKING CHICKEN BACON RANCH PASTA:

For this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta recipe, be sure you are using ranch seasoning mix as opposed to liquid ranch dressing.  Ranch dressing will make a mess when you release the pressure and will not coat the chicken like the ranch mix does.  You can typically find ranch seasoning mix or ranch packets at any grocery store, Target or Walmart.  

Also, when making a creamy chicken pasta with cheese, we also suggest shredding your own cheddar cheese.  Pre-packaged shredded cheddar cheese is made with ingredients which help prevent it from clumping.  Pre-packaged shredded cheese will work, but we find shredding your own cheese produces a more ‘creamy’ outcome.  

WHAT TYPE OF PASTA SHOULD I USE?

What is great about this chicken ranch pasta recipe is you can use any pasta of your choosing.  However, with a creamy pasta such as this, we love to use pasta shells that hold on to the cream sauce well.  Pasta shells such as penne pasta, rigatoni pasta, elbow pasta and more are our favorites. 

OTHER VARIATIONS FOR CHICKEN BACON RANCH PASTA:

If you are looking for additional ways to serve your Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta, here are just a few additional items I love to add to give this family loved recipe a bit jazz!

• Add veggies!  Broccoli and carrots would be a really great addition to this pasta dish.  It’s a great way to get the kiddos to eat their greens, too. 
• Add a bit of buffalo sauce to your chicken to give it a tad bit of extra flavor or kick!  

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN BACON RANCH CASSEROLE

You can easily turn this recipe into a make-ahead casserole by making the below modifications.  Note, you can prepare this casserole up to two to three days in advance, if needed.  Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole makes for a great Thanksgiving recipe, too.  

• Follow all of the recipe instructions below.  When cooking is complete, transfer the pasta dish to a 9×13 casserole dish.  The casserole will remain fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.  
• When you’re ready to bake, remove from the refrigerator and top with 2 additional cups of cheese.  Feel free to also add additional bacon bits, if desired.  
• Cover the casserole dish with tin foil and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until cheese has melted and started to brown.  

INGREDIENTS FOR CHICKEN BACON RANCH PASTA:

• 4-6 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
• 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into one inch strips
• 1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Mix or seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper
• 1 pound of your favorite pasta – (I recommend using bowtie, penne, elbow or rotini) 
• 2 cups half and half
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley to garnish – it’s okay to skip this ingredient if you don’t like parsley or don’t have any on hand

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN BACON RANCH PASTA: 

1. Shred cheddar cheese from a block and set aside on the counter to come to room temperature. 
2. With kitchen sheers, cut bacon into small pieces and set aside. 
3. Cut chicken breasts into 1 inch strips and set aside.  
4. In a large pan over medium heat, add bacon and cook until browned and crispy.  Remove bacon drippings being sure to leave 1 tablespoon in the pan.  
5. In a mixing bowl, add chicken breast strips, ranch seasoning, garlic pepper, Italian seasoning and salt (to taste).  Mix all ingredients today being sure to coat the chicken strips evenly.  
6. In a pot over medium heat, cook pasta based on package instructions
7. While your pasta begins to cook, in the same pan with the bacon drippings, add coated chicken strips and cook over medium heat until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes.  Set aside once cooked.  
8. While the pan continues to cook on medium heat, add half and half wisking consistently.  
9. Slowly add in shredded cheddar cheese, continuing to wisk contatntly until cheese has melted throughly.  Lower the heat and continue to allow the sauce to thicken.  If needed, feel free to add in 1-2 tablespoons of flour until you have reached your desired consistency.   
10. Add back in chicken, pasta and bacon.  Stir until all ingredients are well combined.  
11. Serve hot!  Feel free to top with additional cheddar cheese and garnish with fresh parsely.  
12. Enjoy! 

LOOKIG FOR OTHER DINNER RECIPE IDEAS?  HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR FAVORITES: 

• Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Pasta
• Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta || Instant Pot & Stove Top
• Instant Pot Crack Chicken Pasta
• Creamy Chicken Stroganoff in Your Instant Pot
• Instant Pot Creamy Cajun Pasta With Shrimp
• The Best Instant Pot Chili || Vegan & Keto Friendly Option Included

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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

5 from 1 vote

SERVES/MAKES: 6 people

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Ingredients:

• 4-6 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into one inch strips
• 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Mix or seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper
• 1 pound your favorite pasta – (I recommend using bowtie, penne, elbow or rotini) 
• 2 cups half and half
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley to garnish – it’s okay to skip this ingredient if you don’t like parsley or don’t have any on hand

Instructions:

• Shred cheddar cheese from a block and set aside on the counter to come to room temperature. 
• With kitchen sheers, cut bacon into small pieces and set aside.
• Cut chicken breasts into 1 inch strips and set aside.
• In a large pan over medium heat, add bacon and cook until browned and crispy.  Remove bacon drippings being sure to leave 1 tablespoon in the pan. 
• In a mixing bowl, add chicken breast strips, ranch seasoning, garlic pepper, Italian seasoning and salt (to taste).  Mix all ingredients today being sure to coat the chicken strips evenly.
• In a pot over medium heat, cook pasta based on package instructions
• While your pasta begins to cook, in the same pan with the bacon drippings, add coated chicken strips and cook over medium heat until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes.  Set aside once cooked.  
• While the pan continues to cook on medium heat, add half and half wisking consistently.  
• Slowly add in shredded cheddar cheese, continuing to wisk contatntly until cheese has melted throughly.  Lower the heat and continue to allow the sauce to thicken.  If needed, feel free to add in 1-2 tablespoons of flour until you have reached your desired consistency.   
• Add back in chicken, pasta and bacon.  Stir until all ingredients are well combined.  
• Serve hot!  Feel free to top with additional cheddar cheese and garnish with fresh parsely.  
• Enjoy!

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