Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is an easy dinner recipe made with chicken breasts, crispy bacon and penne pasta in a creamy ranch dressing. Your whole family will love this easy meal that cooks in 30 minutes!
All you need is one skillet to make this quick and easy chicken and pasta recipe. Chances are, you probably have everything you need in your fridge, freezer or pantry!
We eat chicken more than any other meat, so I'm always dreaming up new and different ways to cook chicken. Some people dream of winning the lottery, but I dream about easy chicken recipes.
So, I took a basic one pan recipe for chicken and pasta recipe and added some good old ranch flavor to it. To make it even better, I added bacon and Monterey Jack cheese to the mix.
If you love chicken bacon ranch pasta recipes, try my Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta or Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad. Or skip the pasta and try Crock Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders!
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients for this chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe. You should be able to find everything online or in your local grocery store:
- Olive oil
- Boneless skinless chicken breast -- cubed
- Sea salt
- Ground black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Dried minced onions
- Italian seasoning
- Penne pasta
- Water or chicken broth
- Ranch dressing -- try my homemade ranch dressing
- Monterey Jack cheese
- Sliced cooked bacon -- crumbled
- Chopped fresh parsley
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
First, chop up your chicken breasts into cubes. Then, heat some olive oil in a large skillet.
Toss the chicken into the skillet. Next, season the chicken, and cook on medium heat until no longer pink.
Now, toss in your uncooked penne pasta and water. We're only using 2 cups of pasta here so that you can fit everything into one skillet.
Cook Time
Keep an eye on the pasta, and stir frequently. The pasta takes about 10 minutes to cook to al dente texture.
When the pasta is almost done, stir in your ranch dressing.
Then, stir in the shredded cheese. When it's nice and creamy, add some cooked, crumbled up bacon bits.
The total cook time is around 20 to 25 minutes.
If you find the dish is a little on the thick side, just thin it out with a little bit of milk.
Bacon makes everything better, right?! Toss in some chopped parsley if you want for an extra pop of color.
That's all there is to it. Now, you're ready to eat this delicious pasta dish for dinner tonight!
Variations
There are a few different ways to customize this easy ranch chicken pasta.
If you don't want to use Monterey Jack, add your favorite cheese to make the creamy cheese sauce instead. Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, and Colby Jack cheese are great options.
You can also use whatever type of pasta you like, instead of penne.
To make this easy pasta dish even easier, use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts.
Skip the seasoning by using a ranch dressing mix instead.
How to Store and Reheat
Store any leftover chicken pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it'll keep for 3 to 4 days.
For longer storage, freeze leftovers in a freezer safe container,
Reheat individual portions of the pasta in the microwave.
Post was originally published in 2017 and has been updated as of March 2022
Recipe
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cubed
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onions
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups penne pasta
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to a large skillet, add chicken and season chicken with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, onions and Italian seasoning, and cook over medium high heat until no longer pink
- Add pasta and water, cover, and cook over medium high heat until pasta is nearly al dente and water is mostly absorbed, stirring frequently
- Lower heat to medium or low, stir in ranch dressing and cheese, and cook until pasta is done, and cheese is melted and creamy
- Stir in bacon and parsley, and serve
Notes
Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.
Nutrition
I hope you enjoy this cheesy chicken bacon ranch pasta as much as my entire family does! It's one of my favorite recipes for a busy weeknight!
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Suzy says
We love to make one pot meals! So quick and easy! This pasta is so tasty!
Dee says
So glad you liked it! Thanks, Suzy.
Kevin says
I have to make this for dinner! I love how easy cleanup will be too!
Jacque Hastert says
I love this easy and cheesy dinner recipe! I have added it to my menu for next week.
Dee says
I hope you like it, Jacque!
Toni says
This is perfect for dinner any night of the week!
Catalina says
Pasta is always a favorite in our house! I will make this recipe for dinner tonight!
Dee says
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it, Catalina.
Erin says
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta looks totally awesome!
Dee says
Thanks a bunch! Hope you get a chance to try it!
Beth Pierce says
I made this last week! It was absolutely delicious! Thanks for the great recipe!
Dee says
Thank you so much, Beth! I'm happy you liked it!
Deanna Hagy says
This was really good. However, I started out with 1 cup of water and the pasta started to burn on the bottom and I ended up having to add almost 3 cups of water. That was just about right. Nice and flavorful though. My husband is also a ranch freak, LOL and he loved it. 🙂
Dee says
I just updated the recipe, so it should be better. Thanks for letting me know and glad you liked it!
Miz Helen says
What a great pasta dish that we will love. Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
Maribeth Alexander says
Looks delicious! I'm always looking for one pot meals!
Dee says
One pot meals are the best. Thanks, Maribeth! 🙂
Lauren @ Hall Nesting says
Yes I am a 30 yo kid who still loves dipping everything in ranch. My son picked up my habit too so I know this dish would be a winner in our family.
Maryanne | the little epicurean says
All my favorite flavors in one pot! This is definitely going into my family's dinner rotation!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
My family will absolutely love this pasta! Bacon and ranch make for a delicious combo!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That sounds delicious, such great comfort food!
Amanda | The Chunky Chef says
I'm totally all about the one pot meals these days!