This creamy ranch chicken pasta dish is the perfect blend of savory flavors, creamy textures, and hearty ingredients that will delight your whole family. It’s an easy weeknight meal that’s both quick to prepare and satisfying to eat.
Chicken ranch pasta is a delicious and comforting dinner idea that is made on your stovetop rather quickly. Bacon and spices make this ranch chicken pasta recipe that you will be making over and over again.
This easy dinner is delicious, and it all comes together in a single skillet, which makes it super easy and streamlines clean up too! The perfect dinner for a busy weeknight.
If you love this recipe, be sure to check out my Chicken Bacon Gouda Pasta, Chicken Basil Pasta and Creamy Chicken with Chipotle sauce.
![Ranch chicken pasta](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Ranch-chicken-pasta.jpg)
This is one of those easy recipes with great flavor that the entire family will love. It all comes together in a single pan. Serve with a quick homemade garlic bread.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: The perfect quick meal for busy weeknights.
- Family-Friendly: Delicious ranch flavor that even the pickiest eater will enjoy.
- One-Pot Meal: Simplifies cooking and cleanup.
- Comforting: Creamy sauce with tender chicken and crispy bacon.
![Ranch chicken pasta recipe](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Ranch-chicken-pasta-recipe.jpg)
Ingredients for cheesy ranch chicken pasta
- Butter
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Chicken broth
- Crushed garlic
- Onion powder
- Dill weed
- Paprika
- Seasoning salt
- Black pepper
- Cream cheese
- Uncooked rotini pasta
- Cheddar cheese, shredded
- Slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Salt to taste
- Pinch of parsley (optional)
Equipment and kitchen tools
- Large skillet with lid
- Spatula
- Measuring spoons
![Ranch chicken ingredients](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Ranch-chicken-ingredients.jpg)
How to make this chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe
Prepare the Chicken:
- Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces a few minutes on each side until fully cooked.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Cook the Pasta:
- In the same skillet, add chicken broth, crushed garlic, onion powder, dill weed, paprika, seasoning salt, and black pepper.
- Add uncooked rotini pasta and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
Combine and Heat:
- Reduce to medium heat and return the chicken to the skillet. Cook for another 4–5 minutes.
- Add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and bacon. Stir until the cheeses are melted and the mixture is heated through.
- Salt to taste, and let the pasta stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
![Ranch chicken pasta process](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Ranch-chicken-pasta-process.jpg)
![How to make Ranch chicken pasta](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/How-to-make-Ranch-chicken-pasta.jpg)
![](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/image.png)
Tips for the Best Results
- Ensure the pasta retains a slight firmness for the best texture.
- Fresh garlic and quality chicken broth enhance the flavors.
- Adjust salt and seasoning to your taste preferences.
- Allowing the dish to stand for a few minutes helps the flavors meld.
- You can use purchased bacon bits to save some time.
- You can use mozzarella cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, Parmesan cheese, or a combination to change this up.
- You can use leftover cooked pasta (not in sauce) for this recipe
- You can use shells or other small kinds of pasta, such as bow-tie or penne pasta, in place of the rotini pasta.
- You can make this ahead of time and throw it into a casserole dish until ready to reheat.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Add a bit of olive oil to the pan with the butter to prevent the butter from burning.
Substitutions and Variations
- Substitute rotini with penne pasta or any pasta you have on hand. The best pasta for this recipe is short pasta.
- Swap cheddar cheese with parmesan cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Add bell peppers or green beans for added nutrition.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker prep time.
- Turkey bacon can be a leaner alternative to traditional bacon.
- If you do not have fresh, crushed garlic on hand, you can use garlic powder.
- For a shortcut, you can use a dry ranch seasoning packet.
FAQs About This Recipe
Yes, you can prepare this chicken ranch pasta using an Instant Pot. Follow similar steps, using the sauté function for cooking chicken and switching to high pressure for cooking the pasta. Just make sure to follow the directions for cooking pasta in your Instant Pot manual so that it doesn’t get mushy.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Yes, this dish can be made ahead of time and reheated. The flavors often meld and improve, making it even tastier the next day.
Pair this creamy ranch chicken pasta with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
More delicious easy recipes
![How to make Ranch chicken pasta in skillet](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Ranch-chicken-pasta-recipe-pin.jpg)
📖 Recipe
![Ranch chicken pasta](https://www.organizedisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Ranch-chicken-pasta-300x300.jpg)
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 clove crushed garlic
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dill weed
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup uncooked rotini pasta
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 5 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- salt to taste
- pinch of parsley optional
Instructions
- 1. Cut chicken breasts or tenders into bite-sized pieces.
- 2, In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat. Cook chicken pieces over medium heat a few minutes on each side until cooked.
- 3. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- 4. In the same skillet, add broth, paprika, onion powder, dill weed, seasoning salt, and pepper.
- 5. Add uncooked pasta and cook 10-12 minutes.
- 6. Reduce heat to medium and add chicken, and cook 4-5 minutes.
- 7. Add Cheddar cheese and bacon and cook until heated through. Salt to taste.
- 7. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
Nutrition
I hope you love this easy pasta dish. It is a new favorite in our home.
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Tamara
I love colorful skillet meals! Also, what's better than the combo of chicken, bacon, ranch, and pasta? Not much!