Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Even though I love pasta, I often fall into a rut on pasta night, cracking open a can of tomato sauce and tossing it with whatever noodles I’ve got. But it’s time to spice things up with our chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe. This rich, tangy pasta recipe is super quick to make. The cream-based sauce doesn’t require much more effort than opening a jar of sauce—just stir the cream and ranch dressing mix together.

For the chicken, use any leftovers you have in the fridge, whether from a rotisserie bird or any favorite chicken breast recipe. You get a full-flavored dish with exciting textures from these simple ingredients: crispy bacon, creamy noodles and crunchy cherry tomatoes. Serve it for a speedy family dinner and watch even the fussiest eater clear their plate.

Ingredients for Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

• Cavatappi pasta: Also known as corkscrew pasta, these curly noodles have two elbows. If you can’t find cavatappi, swap in another short, tubular pasta shape, such as elbows or penne.
• Bacon strips: Bacon plays two key roles in this dish: It adds savory flavor and breaks up the softness of the pasta with a crispy texture. In a pinch, you can use precooked bacon bits.
• Garlic cloves: Garlic lovers know that spicy, aromatic minced garlic is a key ingredient in pasta sauce.
• Heavy whipping cream: Rich, heavy cream makes for a decadent pasta sauce. You can swap in half-and-half for a lighter alternative.
• Ranch salad dressing mix: For a speedy flavor boost, shake a packet of store-bought or homemade ranch dressing mix into the sauce.
• Pepper: A dash of pepper adds heat that brightens the creamy sauce.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: For the best flavor, use a high-quality brand of shredded cheddar.
• Cooked chicken breasts: This recipe saves time by using precooked chicken, such as rotisserie chicken. Bacon chicken ranch pasta is also a great way to use up leftover chicken.
• Grape tomatoes: For crunch and zippy fresh flavor, toss sliced tomatoes into the bacon chicken ranch pasta.
• Green onions: Thinly sliced green onions add a welcome dash of color and bright, fresh flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Crisp the bacon

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, seven to eight minutes. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Let it cool, then crumble it into small pieces.

Editor’s Tip: Another excellent way to cook bacon is to bake it. When you make bacon in the oven, the pieces are evenly cooked and you can still save the bacon fat for other uses.

Step 3: Make the sauce

In the same skillet, pour off the excess bacon fat. Add the minced garlic and cook for one minute. Add the cream, ranch seasoning, pepper and cheddar cheese. Cook over low heat until the cheddar cheese fully melts, two to three minutes.

Editor’s Tip: Garlic browns quite quickly, so be careful not to burn it! Burnt garlic has a bitter taste that will flavor the entire sauce.

Step 4: Combine the pasta and sauce

Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Cook until heated through, 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 5: Add the garnishes

Off the heat, stir in the crumbled bacon, tomatoes and half the green onions. Use the remaining green onions to garnish individual bowls.

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Variations

• Lighten up: For a lighter comfort food dish, substitute half-and-half for the heavy whipping cream and skip the bacon.
• Go gluten-free: Use a gluten-free pasta shell to make this an easy gluten-free dinner.
• Spice it up: Tangy, savory ranch dressing is surprisingly versatile and pairs well with other seasonings. Try a squeeze of lemon, a pinch of red pepper flakes, or a minced herb such as dill, parsley or cilantro.
• Play with proteins: While cooked chicken is tasty here, you can also use leftover ham, sliced sausage or a vegetarian protein, such as white beans.
• Add veggies: This creamy pasta is a great place to sneak in vegetables, especially for fussy eaters. Try chopped broccoli, cauliflower, peas, green beans, sliced kale or spinach.

How to Store Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

It is good to eat most pasta dishes as soon as possible, as the noodles absorb the sauce and soften as they sit. That said, store chicken bacon ranch pasta in an airtight container and it will last up to four days in the refrigerator.

Can you freeze chicken bacon ranch pasta?

Chicken ranch pasta does not freeze well. Heavy cream tends to separate when defrosted, so the sauce’s texture and consistency won’t be very appealing. Baked pastas, such as chicken noodle casserole, are usually best for freezing, as they use condensed soup and dairy for a more freezer-friendly sauce.

How do you reheat chicken bacon ranch pasta?

Reheat bowls of pasta in the microwave. Before reheating, add a spoonful of water or milk to loosen up the sauce.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Tips

ELLIE CROWLEY FOR TASTE OF HOME

Can you make chicken bacon ranch pasta into a casserole?

Yes, you can turn this recipe into a baked pasta casserole. Prepare the recipe through Step 4, but instead of heating the chicken, pasta and sauce in a skillet, transfer them to a greased 13×9-inch pan, cover the pan with foil and bake at 350°F until hot, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle the dish with the garnishes listed in Step 5 (bacon, green onions and tomatoes). If you like an extra-cheesy topping, you can also sprinkle additional shredded cheddar on top at this point. Bake uncovered for 10 minutes and serve hot.

What can you serve with chicken bacon ranch pasta?

Since bacon chicken ranch pasta includes a protein and a starch, we always like to serve it with a vegetable. Some of our favorite options are the simplest: a simple green salad or a cooked green, such as sauteed kale or steamed broccoli. You can certainly get fancier by dishing up a vegetable side dish, like tomato salad, roasted carrots or garlicky mushrooms. And every bowl of pasta tastes delicious with breadsticks or garlic bread.