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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe

Creamy, savory, and packed with flavor, this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is the ultimate comfort food. Juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and tender pasta are coated in a rich, ranch-flavored cream sauce. It’s an easy and satisfying dish, perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 people
Calories 606 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • Whisk
  • Slotted spoon
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cutting board
  • Knife

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3¾ cups uncooked rotini pasta
  • 1 tbsp dry ranch dressing mix
  • 4 thick-cut bacon slices

Sauce

  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (Optional)
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 5 tsp dry ranch dressing mix
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1½ cups milk

Instructions
 

  • Boil a large pot of salted water and cook rotini until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drai
  • Drain, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon until crispy, about 10 minutes.
  • Transfer to paper towels, leaving the bacon grease in the pan.
  • Season the chicken with 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning and cook in the same skillet until golden brown, about 5 to 8 minutes.
  • Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  • Rinse out the skillet, then melt butter over medium heat.
  • Whisk in flour until smooth and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Gradually add milk, whisking continuously until the sauce is smooth.
  • If too thick, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time.
  • Stir in softened cream cheese until fully combined, then mix in the remaining 5 teaspoons of ranch seasoning and season with salt.
  • Return the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet, stirring until fully coated.
  • Finely chop the cooked bacon and mix it in before serving.
  • Garnish with parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated cheese for a smoother sauce, as pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that affect texture.
  • Swap pasta types if needed—penne, fusilli, or farfalle work well in place of rotini.
  • Adjust thickness by adding more milk for a looser sauce or extra pasta water for a silkier texture.
  • Enhance the flavor by adding a pinch of smoked paprika or garlic powder to the sauce.