Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a creamy, cheesy, and flavor-packed dish made with rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, and ranch seasoning for the ultimate easy weeknight dinner. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's a one-pot comfort meal perfect for busy nights and meal prep!
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta penne, rotini, or shells work best
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken shredded
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup milk
- 1 1 oz packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper optional, for heat
- ½ cup chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Cook the Bacon
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until crispy, depending on thickness.
- Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease, then chop and set aside.
- Add butter and garlic to the same pan, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the milk, and ranch seasoning, stirring well.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes, then add cheddar and Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken and warm through.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together until fully coated.
- If the sauce is too thick, slowly add some reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Stir in crispy bacon and black pepper.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan.