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Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

A comforting one-skillet dish featuring pasta tossed with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy ranch sauce, perfect for weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken
  • 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or shells) Choose your favorite pasta type.
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, diced Rotisserie chicken works best.
Sauce Ingredients
  • 1 cup ranch dressing Use your favorite brand or homemade.
  • 1 cup heavy cream Can be substituted with half-and-half for a lighter version.
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled Crisping the bacon adds texture.
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Grate cheese yourself for creamier results.
  • to taste salt and pepper Remember that bacon and cheddar add salt.
  • optional chopped parsley For garnish.

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a splash of pasta water.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the diced cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, ranch dressing, and heavy cream. Stir gently to heat through and blend the flavors, about 2–3 minutes.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Add the hot pasta to the skillet. Toss or stir to coat every piece; add a tablespoon or two of reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too thick.
  2. Sprinkle in the shredded cheddar and stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is glossy.
  3. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
Serving
  1. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Notes

For a lighter sauce, swap heavy cream for plain Greek yogurt stirred in off-heat. Use smoked mushrooms or tempeh crumbles for a vegetarian option.