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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta can be on your table tonight! This is a great recipe for pulling together an easy meal on the fly, and has great flavor. Get dinner on the table FAST with some handy shortcuts!

close up of a chicken bacon ranch pasta.

Busy weeknights are a total crunch for us, regardless of what’s going on. I constantly struggle with what to feed my family on any given day that everyone will eat, and I can get on the dinner table FAST.

Cheesy pasta of any kind is always going to be a hit with my entire family (check out my Skillet Mac and Cheese or my Chicken Tomato Pasta for another couple of easy pasta recipes).

A creamy cheese sauce with added ranch flavor, plus crispy bacon, this delicious pasta dish also packs a protein punch with the addition of chicken, this will be your family’s new favorite!

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta recipe is an easy dinner recipe to throw together quickly. It uses a few shortcuts (the good kind!), but the flavor is incredible.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret. I am not above getting a little help. I will sometimes grab a rotisserie chicken, or even pre cooked and shredded chicken from the deli to complete a meal more quickly and easily.

Are you making this for dinner tonight?

Why you’ll love this recipe

Easy – this dinner is cooked in one pot! The best part is that it’s done really fast, too!
Simple ingredients – everything to make this recipe can be found at your local grocery store.

If you’re into easy pasta recipes, try this delicious King Ranch Chicken Casserole or this lightened Chili Mac & Cheese.

What you'll find in this post: hide

1 Why you’ll love this recipe

2 What to serve with pasta

3 Ingredient Notes

4 How to make this recipe

5 Kylee’s Notes

6 More easy recipes:

7 Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (One Pot)

What to serve with pasta

For a more complete meal, add a green salad, like my Arugula Salad and some Garlic Knots or Garlic Bread.

two white bowls of chicken bacon ranch pasta on a wooden table.

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Ingredient Notes

The full list of ingredients and quantities is found in the printable recipe card below.

Bacon. Cook this ahead, or grab it precooked bacon from the grocery store. I use a thick cut fresh bacon, and cook until crispy and drain on paper towels. Try turkey bacon, or bacon bits. The point is for this to be super easy.
Chicken. I use a rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken from another meal. If you don’t have chicken hanging around, you can poach chicken breasts in a little broth until cooked, then dice.
Chicken Stock. Make your own chicken stock, or grab a carton.
Dry Pasta. Any shape will do, although I find short pasta to be better. I wouldn’t use cooked pasta, since the flavor is achieved by cooking the pasta in the stock and ranch mixture.
Ranch seasoning. This is the dry ranch dressing mix that you find in either a jar or an envelope at the grocery store. You can make ranch seasoning mix yourself, if you like! Check out this recipe from Culinary Hill.

You could use ranch dressing in a pinch if that is what you have. You might want to add a little extra to get the full ranch flavor. Maybe a little onion powder and garlic powder to boost it fully.
Heavy cream. It’s only a little bit, but if you want to, you can use half and half or regular or skim milk instead. You can also use sour cream if that’s what you have.
Cream cheese. Use a low fat one if you prefer.
Cheddar Cheese. I used pre shredded sharp cheddar cheese in this case, but pick your favorite or what you have on hand (Monterey Jack cheese, or medium cheddar work well).

Ingredients to make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta laid out and labeled.

How to make this recipe

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The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.

Heat the stock over medium heat in a large skillet or dutch oven. Whisk in the ranch seasoning and cream, then add the pasta.

collage of the process to make the sauce for chicken bacon ranch pasta.

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low heat and cook until most of the stock has absorbed (and the pasta is al dente aka tender, but still has a bite to it).

collage of adding pasta to the sauce for chicken bacon ranch pasta.

Add the cream cheese, cooked chicken, bacon, and cheddar to pan.

collage of adding chicken, cheese and bacon for chicken bacon ranch pasta.

Remove from heat. Stir until cheese has melted and the sauce is thickened. Devour.

Kylee’s Notes

Use pre cooked bacon, pre cooked chicken and pre shredded cheese to make this SUPER fast.

Use macaroni, rotini, farfalle or penne pasta – any short pasta you have at home.

Fresh parsley or sliced green onions make a great garnish, but are totally optional.

What to do with leftovers

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat until it is piping hot!

More easy recipes:

Chili Mac with Turkey. We’re bringing childhood back! Lightened-up with turkey vs beef, and made in one pan – this one is a family favorite!
Skillet Mac & Cheese. Comfort food at its finest, this skillet mac & cheese is so easy! Just the skillet and a pasta pot, the and a quick broil, and this is ready FAST!
Florentine Chicken Lasagna Rolls Spinach, garlic, and cheese are all winners for this weeknight dinner! Delicious homemade Alfredo sauce is the key to these!
Ham Tetrazzini. A super-fast weeknight dinner, this Ham Tetrazzini is a spin on the traditional version and is sure to please the whole family.

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