Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a creamy, cheesy dish featuring shredded rotisserie chicken and salty bacon, perfect for a quick family dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people
Calories 675 kcal
- 1 lb dry short pasta (Campanelle is best)
- 3 teaspoon olive oil
- 6 strips thick-cut bacon diced small
- 3 tablespoon reserved bacon grease
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoon flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 packet ranch seasoning or homemade
- 2 oz cream cheese cubed
- 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or any cooked chicken
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- additional cheese for serving
- crumbled bacon for serving
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining pasta, then drizzle with the olive oil and toss to coat, to prevent sticking. Set aside.
In the same pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 6 minutes. Drain bacon on a paper towel-lined plate.
Reserve 3 tablespoon of the bacon grease in the pot. Over medium heat, add garlic and sauté for 20 seconds until fragrant. Add flour and stir 1-2 minutes until no white patches remain. Slowly whisk in the milk a little at a time and bring to a boil. Boil for 2-3 minutes until thick.
Remove pot from the heat. Whisk in Monterey Jack cheese, ranch seasoning, and the cream cheese until melted and smooth.
Add cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and most of the cooked bacon (reserving some for garnish), stir to incorporate. Place back on low heat for a couple minutes to re-warm pasta, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water to thin it out, if needed.
Taste for seasoning, adding salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately with more cheese and crumbled bacon. The sauce will thicken as it stands.
Serving: 1servingCalories: 675kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 38gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 438mgPotassium: 702mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 495IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 321mgIron: 2mg
Keyword chicken bacon ranch pasta, easy chicken bacon ranch pasta