Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pasta - The Healthy Maven

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

chicken bacon ranch pasta in a shallow white bowl.

Table of Contents

The best Ranch Pasta with Chicken and Bacon!

This is my official summer recipe! I love how all the flavors blend together and can easily be combined in one pot with simple ingredients. It’s also a fun take on your typical pasta recipe.

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta recipe is also a huge hit at summer barbecues and potlucks. I’ve tried it on guests a few times this summer and everyone LOVES this recipe. It’s also a host’s dream because it couldn’t be easier to do. You can even make it all using one pot if you boil the noodles using the same pot first.

You do not believe me? I guess you’ll have to try it for yourself!

Ingredients in this Recipe

Pasta – this recipe works best with a short pasta such as penne pasta, rotini, bow tie or cavatappi.
Bacon – You will cook your bacon on the stove so it is nice and crispy.
Chicken breasts– You will want to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe.
Garlic – The ideal is to use freshly minced garlic!
ranch seasoning – You can usually find this with the spices or occasionally 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 consistency and its acidity.
reserved pasta water -Be sure to remove some water from the pasta before straining.
Grated cheese – I prefer to use shredded cheddar but you can also 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. Bacon already contains a lot of salt, so feel free to skip if you’re watching sodium levels.

How to make Ranch Pasta with Chicken and Bacon

STEP 1: COOK THE PASTA

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

STEP 2: COOK BACON

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

bacon drying on a plate with paper towel.

STEP 3: COOK THE CHICKEN

Add chicken breasts and cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side until cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F). Remove from pot and allow to cool slightly on a cutting board. Chop into bite-size pieces.

STEP 4: COMBINE REMAINING INGREDIENTS

If needed, add a little more bacon fat to the pot and add the minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden. Add cooked pasta, ranch seasoning, Greek yogurt, reserved 1/2 cup pasta water, and cheddar cheese. Add more pasta water to thin the sauce, as desired. Add the bacon bits and chicken pieces. Add salt and pepper and sprinkle with fresh chives.

Ranch pasta with bacon and chicken in a large pot.

Easy trades + substitutions

Use roast chicken – Don’t want to cook more chicken or have leftover chicken lying around? Feel free to switch places to cook additional chicken.

change the herbs – I like to combine the scallions with the ranch dressing mix, but you can use any fresh herbs you have. Fresh parsley works great!

Use turkey bacon – Not a fan of pork bacon? You can easily swap slices of turkey bacon. Just cook as directed.

change the cheese – I really like the sharp cheddar cheese in this Bacon Chicken Ranch Pasta, but you can change the cheese you prefer.

eat it cold – Prefer a pasta salad? Sure, you can refrigerate your recipe to make it into a Cold Bacon Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad.

storage instructions

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

Freezer: Store in a large saucepan covered with plastic wrap and aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Remove plastic wrap and bake in oven until thawed.

More pasta recipes:

Ranch pasta with chicken and bacon

Author: david lederle
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Time to cook: 35 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Produce: 6 portions 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Cook
Kitchen: American

1 lb dry short pasta of your choice (penne, rotini, cavatappi, etc.)
1/2 pound of bacon
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 pounds)
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tablespoons ranch seasoning
1 cup plain greek yogurt
1 cup reserved pasta water
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1–2 tablespoon of fresh chives, chopped up
salt + pepper, prove

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add about 1 tablespoon of salt.
Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
Remove 1 cup of the reserved pasta water and set aside.
Strain the pasta and reserve.
Heat pot over medium-high heat and add bacon. Cook until crisp (about 8-10 minutes), turning occasionally.
Remove bacon and allow to cool on a plate lined with paper towels. Once cooled, cut it into small crispy pieces.
Remove the bacon grease from the pot, leaving about 1 tablespoon still in the pot.
Add chicken breasts and cook for 5 to 7 minutes on each side until cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165 degrees F).
Remove from pot and allow to cool slightly on a cutting board. Chop into bite-size pieces.
If needed, add a little more bacon fat to the pot and add the minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.
Add cooked pasta, ranch seasoning, Greek yogurt, reserved 1/2 cup pasta water, and cheddar cheese. Add more pasta water to thin the sauce, as desired.
Add the bacon bits and chicken pieces.
Add salt and pepper and sprinkle with fresh chives.
Serve warm or cold. See storage instructions above.