Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
This creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta is the ultimate comfort food for two, featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a dreamy ranch-infused sauce that comes together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for date night or a cozy weeknight dinner, it’s rich, flavorful, and easy to adapt for different diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 large (about 8 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 3 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 6 oz dry pasta (penne, rotini, or fusilli recommended)
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup whole or 2% milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ranch seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or chives, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9–11 minutes). Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 5–6 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon bacon drippings in the pan.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add olive oil to the skillet with bacon drippings and cook chicken over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through, about 4–5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium, add minced garlic to the skillet, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly.
- Add cream cheese and milk to the skillet with garlic. Stir until smooth and creamy, about 2–3 minutes. Sprinkle in ranch seasoning and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle in grated Parmesan and stir until melted. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Add cooked pasta, chicken, and most of the bacon (reserve some for garnish) to the skillet. Toss everything together until pasta is well coated. Season with extra salt and pepper to taste.
- Divide between two plates. Top with reserved bacon and sprinkle with fresh parsley or chives if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and check your ranch seasoning. To make dairy-free, use plant-based cream cheese and milk. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated with a splash of milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous plate (half of recipe)
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 950
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 38
Keywords: chicken bacon ranch pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner for two, comfort food, ranch pasta, skillet pasta, weeknight dinner, American pasta, chicken recipes, bacon recipes