Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta with Bacon and Ranch
A quick and easy creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken, smoky bacon, and tangy ranch dressing in a luscious cream cheese sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or comforting family dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon
- 12 oz (340 g) dry pasta (penne or rotini)
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) ranch dressing
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside, reserving 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
- While bacon cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- In the same skillet with bacon fat, add chicken pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir constantly, breaking it down as it melts. Pour in chicken broth and ranch dressing. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Mix in shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until melted and sauce thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Add cooked pasta, chicken, and crumbled bacon (reserve some for garnish) back into the skillet. Toss gently to coat evenly with sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to heat through.
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle chopped green onions and reserved bacon on top. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use thick-cut bacon for best texture. Soften cream cheese before adding to avoid clumps. Cook chicken in batches if needed to avoid steaming. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if necessary. Can substitute gluten-free pasta and dairy-free alternatives for dietary needs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/6th
- Calories: 475
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2.5
- Protein: 30
Keywords: creamy crack chicken pasta, bacon pasta, ranch chicken pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, creamy pasta, weeknight dinner