Discover the ultimate comfort dish with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a luxuriously creamy ranch sauce enveloping perfectly cooked pasta. Rich in flavor and satisfying every craving, this dish quickly transforms dinner into a delightful affair. Ideal for Chicken Bacon Ranch Recipes Easy Dinners, it’s a definite family favorite truly.

Jump to Recipe

I love how this Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta gives me that ultimate comfort food feel on a busy night. I start by using 12 oz of pasta (penne or fusilli work great) and 1 lb of chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces and seasoned with salt and black pepper.

The chicken cooks up tender while I fry 4 chopped bacon slices until crispy and add in 3 minced garlic cloves for a rich flavor. Then, I mix in 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup chicken broth and a packet of ranch seasoning to make a sauce that’s both creamy and full of tang.

I fold in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese along with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan for that extra kick of flavor, and if i feel like it, I toss in 2 cups baby spinach for color and a slight boost in nutrition. This dish packs a great balance of protein and carbs, making it an easy and satisfying dinner option.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe for so many reasons. First off, I really dig how the creamy sauce mixes with the bacon and chicken to create this rich flavor that feels like a big warm hug on a cold day. I mean, there’s nothing better than a meal that makes me feel all cozy inside.

Another thing I like is that it’s super simple to make even on those crazy busy nights. I dont have to spend hours in the kitchen and it still tastes like I spent a whole day cooking. Plus, the way the cheeses melt together makes each bite creamy and yummy.

I also get a kick out of the mix of textures; the crispy bacon, tender chicken, and al dente pasta all come together in a way that just makes me smile every time I eat it.

Lastly, I really appreciate the little fresh touch the spinach adds. Even though it’s optional, it gives the dish some color and a bit of extra nutrition without messing with the overall flavor. Overall, this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is totally my go-to comfort food because it’s flavorful, quick, and satisfying every single time.

Ingredients

Print Recipe (No Advertisments)

Pasta is loaded with carbs that fuel the body and create a filling base.
Chicken offers lots of protein and juicy flavor, making every bite satisfying.
Bacon gives a salty, smoky taste that boosts the overall dish appeal.
Garlic contributes a punchy, aromatic flavor that really makes the sauce pop.
Heavy cream adds a silky, rich texture even though it can be high in fat.
Spinach brings vitamins and fiber along with a fresh, colorful touch.

Ingredient Quantities

12 oz pasta (penne or fusilli work great)

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces

Salt, to taste

Black pepper, to taste

4 slices bacon, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 packet ranch seasoning mix

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, but adds extra flavor)

2 cups baby spinach (optional, for a little color and nutrition)

How to Make this

Print Recipe (No Advertisments)

1. Start by cooking the pasta in a big pot of salted boiling water according to the package directions until it’s al dente, then drain and set it aside.

2. While the pasta is cooking, season your chicken pieces with salt and pepper.

3. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until it gets really crispy then take it out and set aside on some paper towels.

4. Using the bacon fat that’s left in the pan, cook the chicken pieces for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they’re browned and fully cooked. Add the minced garlic in the last minute of cooking.

5. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet with the chicken. Sprinkle in the ranch seasoning packet and stir everything together. Let it simmer for a couple minutes.

6. Next, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and, if you’re using it, the grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheeses melt into a smooth sauce.

7. Toss in the crispy bacon you set aside and add the baby spinach if you’re using it; let the spinach wilt in the sauce for about a minute.

8. Mix the cooked pasta into the skillet and stir until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little bit of the reserved pasta water.

9. Give it a taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.

10. Serve the pasta hot and enjoy your creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta as the ultimate comfort food!

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot for boiling pasta in salted water
2. Colander to drain the pasta
3. Large skillet for cooking bacon and chicken
4. Cutting board for chopping bacon and garlic
5. Knife to cut and mince chicken, bacon, and garlic
6. Measuring cups for heavy cream and chicken broth
7. Spatula or wooden spoon for stirring the ingredients
8. Paper towels for draining the crispy bacon
9. Serving bowl or plates for the final dish

FAQ

Q: Can I use different types of pasta?

A: Sure, you can experiment with whatever pasta you have on hand. The recipe works great with penne or fusilli, but feel free to try shells or even spaghetti.

Q: Is heavy cream absolutely necessary?

A: Not really, but it gives the dish that creamy, rich flavor. If you want a lighter version, you can use half-and-half though it wont be as luscious.

Q: What if I dont like bacon or cant eat it?

A: No worries! You can either skip it or substitute with sausage. It’ll still be really tasty even without bacon.

Q: Can I add other veggies to the pasta?

A: For sure! While the recipe suggests baby spinach, you can toss in broccoli, bell peppers, or even peas to boost the nutrition and add extra color.

Q: How can I be sure the chicken stays juicy?

A: Make sure to cook the chicken just until its no longer pink in the middle. It will keep its tenderness by finishing off in the simmering sauce.

Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta – The Ultimate Comfort Food! Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Heavy cream: try using half and half or full-fat coconut milk if you need something a bit lighter or dairy-free
Bacon: you can swap it for turkey bacon or pancetta if you’re looking for a leaner option
Chicken broth: use veggie broth or even water with a pinch of chicken bouillon if you’re in a pinch
Ranch seasoning mix: make your own by mixing dried dill, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder for a fresh twist
Cheddar cheese: try Monterey Jack or mozzarella if you’re feeling adventurous with your flavors

Pro Tips

1) When cookin bacon or chicken, don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches if need be so they crisp up and brown properly rather than stewin in their own juices.

2) Let the sauce simmer on a lower heat when you add the cheeses. This gives ’em a chance to melt smooth-like without turning lumpy. If the sauce gets too thick, toss in a little of that reserved pasta water.

3) If you’re addin baby spinach, do it at the very end. Toss it in too early and it’ll lose its bright color and nice crunch, so waiting a minute helps keep that fresh flavor.

4) Try to be careful about how long you cook the garlic. It only needs about a minute near the end of the chicken cooking so it wont burn and turn bitter, which could ruin the overall flavor.

Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta – The Ultimate Comfort Food! Recipe

Recipe by Bob Jones

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

450

kcal

Equipment: 1. Large pot for boiling pasta in salted water
2. Colander to drain the pasta
3. Large skillet for cooking bacon and chicken
4. Cutting board for chopping bacon and garlic
5. Knife to cut and mince chicken, bacon, and garlic
6. Measuring cups for heavy cream and chicken broth
7. Spatula or wooden spoon for stirring the ingredients
8. Paper towels for draining the crispy bacon
9. Serving bowl or plates for the final dish

Ingredients

12 oz pasta (penne or fusilli work great)
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
4 slices bacon, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 packet ranch seasoning mix
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, but adds extra flavor)
2 cups baby spinach (optional, for a little color and nutrition)

Directions

Start by cooking the pasta in a big pot of salted boiling water according to the package directions until it's al dente, then drain and set it aside.
While the pasta is cooking, season your chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until it gets really crispy then take it out and set aside on some paper towels.
Using the bacon fat that's left in the pan, cook the chicken pieces for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they're browned and fully cooked. Add the minced garlic in the last minute of cooking.
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet with the chicken. Sprinkle in the ranch seasoning packet and stir everything together. Let it simmer for a couple minutes.
Next, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and, if you're using it, the grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheeses melt into a smooth sauce.
Toss in the crispy bacon you set aside and add the baby spinach if you're using it; let the spinach wilt in the sauce for about a minute.
Mix the cooked pasta into the skillet and stir until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little bit of the reserved pasta water.
Give it a taste and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
Serve the pasta hot and enjoy your creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta as the ultimate comfort food!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.