Sink into a delectable fusion of flavors featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a luxuriously creamy ranch sauce. This unique pasta dish combines aromatic garlic, melted Parmesan, and a perfect balance of creaminess, creating a comforting meal that transforms a simple weeknight dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience.
I love making Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta cause it’s the ultimate comfort food that hits all the flavor marks. This recipe is packed with protein and low-carb pasta energy while using 8 oz penne or bowtie and two boneless chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces.
The six slices of crispy bacon add a great salty crunch, while the garlic and ranch seasoning mix really bring out the bold flavors in the dish. I mix these with heavy cream, milk and a half cup of Parmesan cheese which makes the sauce rich yet smooth.
A tablespoon of olive oil helps cook everything perfectly and a sprinkle of salt and pepper ties it all together. Its a great weeknight dish that is simple and fits in with easy recipes for supper and healthy pasta ideas.
I like to garnish it with chopped parsley sometimes for a tiny burst of color and flavor. Enjoy cooking!
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe because the creamy sauce is just amazing, and the mix of heavy cream, milk and parmesan brings out a super rich flavor that makes every bite feel comforting.
I also really enjoy how the bacon gets all crispy and adds that salty kick to the dish, which makes the chicken and pasta even more exciting to eat.
Another reason is that the garlic really infuses the whole meal with this warm, inviting aroma, which makes it smell just as good as it tastes.
Plus, it’s totally easy to make on a busy weeknight without sacrificing flavor, and that makes it a go-to comfort food for me even when I don’t have a lot of time.
Ingredients
- Pasta: A hearty source of carbs, it keeps you full and gives energy.
- Chicken: Loads of protein to build muscle, adds satisfying texture.
- Bacon: Brings a smoky, savory crunch that infects rich flavor.
- Heavy cream: Makes the sauce luxuriously smooth and velvety delicious.
- Parmesan cheese: Offers a salty, tangy kick to elevate the overall taste.
- Garlic: Infuses a bold, aromatic boost that brightens up the dish.
Ingredient Quantities
- 8 oz pasta (penne or bowtie work great)
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), cut into bite size pieces
- 6 slices bacon, chopped into small bits
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (1 oz)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
How to Make this
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add pasta and cook until al dente per the package instructions, then drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken pieces seasoned with salt and pepper until they turn golden and are fully cooked. Remove from the skillet.
3. In the same skillet, add the chopped bacon and cook until its crispy.
4. Add in the minced garlic to the bacon and let it cook for about 30 seconds until you can really smell the aroma.
5. Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring in the ranch seasoning mix until it all blends together smoothly.
6. Slowly stir in the Parmesan cheese while the sauce begins to simmer, letting the cheese melt into the cream.
7. Reduce the heat slightly, then return the chicken into the skillet and mix everything well.
8. Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce and combine it all until the pasta is evenly covered.
9. Give it a taste and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed.
10. If you want, sprinkle chopped parsley on top for a pop of color, then serve hot and enjoy your comfort meal!
Equipment Needed
1. Large pot for boiling salted water
2. Colander to drain the pasta
3. Large skillet for cooking the chicken and bacon
4. Cutting board for chopping chicken, bacon, and garlic
5. Sharp knife for cutting ingredients
6. Measuring cups and spoons for the cream, milk, and seasoning
7. Spatula or tongs for stirring and mixing everything together
8. Optional: Garlic press if you prefer not mincing by hand
FAQ
Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta – The Ultimate Comfort Food! Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you dont have bacon, try using turkey bacon or even pancetta for a slightly different flavor.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut cream (watch out the coconut might change the taste a bit).
- If you don’t have a packet of ranch seasoning mix, mix your own with dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Instead of Parmesan cheese, you can use Pecorino Romano or Asiago for a similar cheesy kick.
- If chicken breasts are too dry for ya, try using chicken thighs which tend to be juicier and more flavorful.
Pro Tips
Here are a few pro tips to boost your dish:
1. After you drain the pasta, toss it with a little olive oil so it doesnt stick together while waiting to mix with the sauce.
2. Be careful not to overcook your chicken or it might turn out dry, and remember to season it well before frying.
3. Use freshly ground salt and pepper instead of relying solely on the seasoning mix to get a deeper flavor in your sauce.
4. Let your cream sauce simmer a bit longer so it thickens up nicely but keep an eye on it so it doesnt burn.
Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta – The Ultimate Comfort Food! Recipe
Sink into a delectable fusion of flavors featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a luxuriously creamy ranch sauce. This unique pasta dish combines aromatic garlic, melted Parmesan, and a perfect balance of creaminess, creating a comforting meal that transforms a simple weeknight dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience.
4
servings
690
kcal
Equipment: 1. Large pot for boiling salted water
2. Colander to drain the pasta
3. Large skillet for cooking the chicken and bacon
4. Cutting board for chopping chicken, bacon, and garlic
5. Sharp knife for cutting ingredients
6. Measuring cups and spoons for the cream, milk, and seasoning
7. Spatula or tongs for stirring and mixing everything together
8. Optional: Garlic press if you prefer not mincing by hand
Ingredients
-
8 oz pasta (penne or bowtie work great)
-
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), cut into bite size pieces
-
6 slices bacon, chopped into small bits
-
2 garlic cloves, minced
-
1 cup heavy cream
-
1/2 cup milk
-
1 packet ranch seasoning mix (1 oz)
-
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
-
Salt and pepper to taste
-
Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Directions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add pasta and cook until al dente per the package instructions, then drain.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken pieces seasoned with salt and pepper until they turn golden and are fully cooked. Remove from the skillet.
- In the same skillet, add the chopped bacon and cook until its crispy.
- Add in the minced garlic to the bacon and let it cook for about 30 seconds until you can really smell the aroma.
- Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring in the ranch seasoning mix until it all blends together smoothly.
- Slowly stir in the Parmesan cheese while the sauce begins to simmer, letting the cheese melt into the cream.
- Reduce the heat slightly, then return the chicken into the skillet and mix everything well.
- Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce and combine it all until the pasta is evenly covered.
- Give it a taste and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed.
- If you want, sprinkle chopped parsley on top for a pop of color, then serve hot and enjoy your comfort meal!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 400g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 690kcal
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Polyunsaturated: 3g
- Monounsaturated: 12g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sodium: 350mg
- Potassium: 400mg
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 67g
- Vitamin A: 500IU
- Vitamin C: 0mg
- Calcium: 200mg
- Iron: 2mg
