Description
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta recipe is simple, delicious, and perfect for busy weeknights. It combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch sauce with pasta for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add cooked chicken and crumbled bacon to the skillet and warm through.
- In a bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, sour cream, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with chicken and bacon.
- Pour the ranch mixture over and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the pasta and stir until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use smoked bacon and freshly grated cheddar cheese.
- You can add steamed broccoli or peas for a vegetable boost.
- Leftovers reheat well in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of milk.
- Short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rotini work best.
- Substitute chicken with cooked shrimp, ground turkey, or chickpeas for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 110mg