Print

Fix 1 Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Disaster Meal

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

You will love this easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta. It delivers rich, creamy comfort with familiar flavors perfect for a weeknight family dinner. We fixed the common issues to give you a foolproof recipe.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cubed
  • 1 packet (about 1 ounce) dry ranch seasoning mix
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Add bacon to the skillet and cook until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
  5. Pour chicken broth into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream and ranch seasoning mix until well combined.
  7. Add the cubed cream cheese, stirring constantly until it has completely melted into a smooth sauce.
  8. Stir in cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  9. Return the cooked chicken and crumbled bacon to the skillet. Toss everything gently to coat.
  10. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss well to ensure the pasta is fully coated in the sauce. Add more reserved pasta water if needed to make it saucy.
  11. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

  • Using good quality ranch seasoning mix makes a big difference in the final flavor.
  • Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened or cut into small cubes for easy melting.
  • Do not overcook the pasta; it will absorb more sauce as it sits.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorandpin.com/chicken-bacon-ranch-pasta-fix/