Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe {with Video}
Chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe with video. Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with crispy bacon, juicy chicken, and ranch for a quick, comforting dinner.
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is one of those easy recipes that you’ll keep coming back to. It’s got crispy chicken pieces, smoky bacon, and fresh broccoli all smothered in a creamy ranch sauce.
And with all that shredded cheese mixed in, it’s the kind of cheesy, comforting dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. It’s perfect for an easy dinner after a busy day or a family meal that’s guaranteed to please.
If you’d rather watch than read, check out this video where I make this delicious pasta dish with ranch flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here’s why you’ll love this easy pasta dish.
- Crispy, Juicy Chicken Fried in Bacon Grease – The chicken breasts get coated, fried up in bacon fat, and turn out crispy on the outside while staying tender and juicy inside. Cooking them in bacon grease makes them extra flavorful, so every bite is rich, smoky, and totally satisfying.
- Creamy, Cheesy, and Packed with Ranch – The creamy mix of cream cheese, ranch dressing, and chicken broth gives this dish a thick, smooth texture. It coats every piece of cooked pasta, mixing perfectly with the crispy chicken and smoky bacon for a pasta dish that’s the ultimate comfort food.
- Loaded with Bacon and Broccoli – This chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe is packed with crispy, smoky bacon and tender broccoli, giving you the perfect combo of salty, savory, and fresh. The bacon adds a satisfying crunch and rich, smoky flavor, while the broccoli helps balance it all out so it’s not too heavy. It’s an easy pasta dinner the whole family will love.
What You’ll Need
INGREDIENTS
For the breaded chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, diced in 1/2″ pieces
- 1/2 c flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
For the pasta
- 1 lb bacon, diced in 1/4″ pieces
- 10 oz.(4 cups) broccoli
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 lb dry penne pasta
- 8 oz. cream cheese
- 1 quart chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Turns out, it’s not one of those 3-ingredient recipes that so many mini dish recipes go on and on about, but it’s also not too complicated.
TOOLS
- Large pot: for boiling the pasta
- Large skillet: for cooking bacon, chicken, onion, and broccoli)
- Small bowl: for combining the flour, salt, and pepper to bread the chicken
- Dutch oven: for making the creamy sauce and mixing the ingredients
- Whisk: for smoothing out the cream cheese and broth mixture)
- Strainer: for draining the cooked pasta
- Knife: for dicing chicken, bacon, onion, and broccoli
- Cutting board: for chopping ingredients
Step by Step Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and cook penne pasta al dente, strain, and set to the side. Cook the diced bacon in a large skillet, remove, and set aside, reserving the bacon grease to fry the chicken.
Bread the chicken – combine the flour, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and toss the diced chicken breasts to coat, then fry the breaded chicken in the hot bacon grease until golden brown (7-9) minutes.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and add the onion and broccoli to the skillet with the drippings from the bacon and chicken, cook for about 5 minutes until the onion is translucent.
Add the cream cheese and broth to a large Dutch oven and heat on medium until the cream cheese melts, whisk until the mixture is smooth.
Then add the cooked and drained pasta to the Dutch oven with the remaining ingredients and stir well (shredded cheese, ranch dressing, salt, garlic powder, pepper, fried chicken, bacon bits, broccoli, and onion).
Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, then serve hot.
For extra flavor, top it with shredded cheese, crispy bacon bits, or a little fresh parsley. If you want to make it a full meal, pair it with my Quick French Loaf that can easily be turned into delicious Garlic Cheese Bread or a simple green salad. This is one of the best pastas for family dinners, so don’t be shy about serving up big portions.
FAQ
1. Do I need to use skinless chicken breasts, or can I use chicken with skin?
You can use skinless chicken breasts because they cook quickly and stay tender. If you prefer, you can use chicken with skin. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and the skin becomes crispy
2. Can I make this recipe with a different kind of pasta?
Absolutely! While penne is used in the recipe, you can swap it out for any kind of pasta you prefer, like bow tie pasta or even spaghetti. Just be sure to cook it according to the package directions for the best results.
3. What are some recipe variations or substitutions I can make?
For a leaner option, swap out skinless chicken breasts for other meats like turkey. Or pork. Think center-cut loin chops or sirloin chops.
And instead of heavy cream or cream cheese, try using full-fat Greek yogurt or rich sour cream for the perfect texture and plenty of flavor.
Also, feel free to play around with different cheeses. Monterey Jack cheese gives you a smooth, creamy texture, while Pepper Jack cheese adds a nice little kick. For a sharper flavor, go with cheddar cheese, or use mozzarella cheese for that extra melty, gooey goodness.
4. Can I make this dish in the slow cooker?
Yes, you can make this great recipe in the slow cooker! To do so, sauté the chicken, bacon, and onion on the stove first, then add them to the slow cooker with the remaining ingredients.
Set the slow cooker to low heat and cook for 2-3 hours, or until the cheese is melted and the ingredients are well combined. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent burning and to help everything meld together. This is a great way to prep ahead for busy weeknights, just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t overcook.
Tips
- Fry the chicken in bacon grease –Cooking the chicken in bacon grease adds a smoky, rich flavor that really elevates the dish.
- Simmer for 10 minutes – Letting everything simmer helps the cheese melt fully, creating the creamy texture you want.
- Bread the chicken before frying – Coating the chicken with flour, salt, and pepper gives it a crispy, golden outside while keeping it juicy and tender inside.
Storage
Store any leftover chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Just make sure to let it cool down completely before storing.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe {with Video}
Chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe with video. Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with crispy bacon, juicy chicken, and ranch for a quick, comforting dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, diced in 1/2" pieces
- 1/2 c flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 lb bacon, diced in 1/4" pieces
- 10 oz. broccoli
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 lb dry penne pasta
- 8 oz. cream cheese
- 1 quart chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and cook penne pasta al dente, strain and set to the side. Cook the diced bacon in a large skillet, remove and set aside, reserving the bacon grease to fry the chicken.
- Bread the chicken - combine the flour, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and toss the diced chicken breasts to coat, then fry the breaded chicken in the hot bacon grease until golden brown (7-9) minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and add the onion and broccoli to the skillet with the drippings from the bacon and chicken, cook for about 5 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Add the cream cheese and broth to a large Dutch oven and heat on medium until the cream cheese melts, whisk until the mixture is smooth.
- Then add the cooked and drained pasta to the Dutch oven with the remaining ingredients and stir well (shredded cheese, ranch dressing, salt, garlic powder, pepper, fried chicken, bacon bits, broccoli, and onion).
- Simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, then serve hot.
- For extra flavor, top it with shredded cheese, crispy bacon bits, or a little fresh parsley. If you want to make it a full meal, pair it with garlic bread or a simple green salad. This is one of the best pastas for family dinners, so don’t be shy about serving up big portions.
Notes
Tips
Storage
Store any leftover chicken bacon ranch pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Just make sure to let it cool down completely before storing.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 802Total Fat: 55gSaturated Fat: 20gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 30gCholesterol: 149mgSodium: 2580mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 43g
