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One-Pot Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

A close-up of creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta featuring penne noodles, chunks of chicken, and crispy bacon bits, topped with fresh parsley.
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Make this creamy, cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta in one pot for a quick, comforting family dinner with minimal cleanup. This recipe delivers rich ranch flavor, tender chicken, and crispy bacon.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound penne pasta
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 1/4 ounces ranch seasoning mix
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the chopped bacon in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet; discard the rest.
  2. Add the olive oil to the skillet with the bacon grease. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the chicken pieces and season them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook the chicken until it is browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  3. Add the dry penne pasta and chicken broth to the same skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
  5. Stir in the ranch seasoning mix and the cubed cream cheese until the cream cheese melts and creates a smooth sauce.
  6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream and the shredded cheddar cheese until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
  7. Stir in half of the crispy bacon. Heat through for 1 to 2 minutes.
  8. Serve the pasta immediately. Top each serving with the remaining crispy bacon and fresh parsley.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, use the bacon grease instead of olive oil when cooking the chicken.
  • You can substitute rotini or farfalle pasta if you do not have penne.
  • If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of milk or extra heavy cream until you reach your desired consistency.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyjade.com/chicken-bacon-ranch-pasta-one-pot-creamy/