Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta – The Healthy Expert

This Ranch Pasta with Chicken Bacon is packed with flavor with tender chicken breasts, crispy bacon and perfectly cooked noodles in a creamy yogurt ranch sauce. You can’t go wrong with this pasta recipe!

The Best Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta!

This is my official summer recipe! I just love how all the flavors mix and come together in one pot with simple ingredients so easy. It’s also a fun twist on a typical pasta recipe.

This chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe is also a huge hit at summer BBQs and potlucks. I’ve tried it a few times with guests this summer and they all LOVE this recipe. It’s also every host’s dream as it couldn’t be easier to prepare. You can even cook everything in a single pot if you cook your pasta in the same pot first.

Do not believe me? I guess you have to try it yourself!

ingredients in this recipe

• pasta – This recipe pairs best with short pasta like penne, rotini, bowtie, or cavatappi.
• bacon – You cook your bacon on the stove so it gets nice and crispy.
• Chicken breast– You should use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe.
• Garlic – It is best to use freshly chopped garlic!
• ranch seasoning – You can usually find this with the condiments or occasionally with the salad dressings at your grocery store. I like the Simply Organic version.
• 1 cup Greek yogurt – I like to use Greek yogurt for its creamy texture and flavor
• Reserved pasta water – Be sure to remove some pasta water before straining your pasta.
• Grated cheese – I prefer using shredded cheddar cheese, but you can use Monterey Jack cheese or even mozzarella cheese.
• Fresh Chives – You can also use fresh parsley or other fresh herbs
• salt + pepper – You will add to taste. The bacon already contains a lot of salt, so feel free to leave it out if you’re watching sodium levels.

How to make ranch pasta with chicken bacon

STEP 1: COOKING PASTA

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add about 1 tablespoon of salt. Add noodles and cook according to package directions. Remove 1 cup of reserved pasta water and set aside. Drain noodles and set aside.

STEP 2: COOKING BACON

Heat the pot over medium-high heat and add the bacon. Cook until crispy (about 8-10 minutes), turning occasionally. Remove the bacon and let cool on a plate lined with paper towels. Once cool, cut into small, crispy pieces. Remove the bacon grease from the pot, leaving about 1 tbsp in the pot.

STEP 3: COOK CHICKEN

Add chicken breasts and sauté 5-7 minutes on each side until tender (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove from the pot and let cool slightly on a cutting board. Cut into bite-sized pieces.

STEP 4: COMBINE REMAINING INGREDIENTS

Add a little more bacon fat to the pan, if needed, and stir in the chopped garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly browned. Add cooked pasta, ranch seasoning, Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, and cheddar cheese. Add more pasta water as needed to thin the sauce. Stir in bacon bits and chicken pieces. Stir in salt and pepper and sprinkle with fresh chives.

Simple swaps + substitutions

Use fried chicken – Tired of cooking chicken or having leftover chicken lying around? Feel free to switch places to cook more chicken.

Swap out the herbs – I love the combination of chives with the ranch dressing mix, but feel free to use any fresh herbs you have laying around. Fresh parsley works great!

Use turkey bacon – not a fan of pork bacon? You can easily swap in turkey bacon slices. Just cook as instructed.

Change the cheese – I really like spicy cheddar in these ranch pasta with chicken bacon, but feel free to use any other cheese you prefer.

Eat cold – Do you prefer a pasta salad? You can definitely keep your recipe in the fridge to make a Cold Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheating is easy in the microwave or on the stove.

freezer: Store in a large baking dish, covered with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, for up to 3 months. Remove the plastic wrap and bake in the oven until thawed.

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