This one-pot rotisserie chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe is made with just 5-ingredients in 20 minutes! Filled with tender chicken, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese and a creamy ranch sauce, the whole family will enjoy this easy comfort food dinner.
Why I Love This Ranch Chicken Bacon Pasta
If you’re anything like me, pasta always sounds like a good idea. Whether it’s smothered in red marinara or baked in a ziti casserole, pasta is something I find myself craving all the time. Of all the carbs I love, noodles are definitely one of my favorites! Here are just a few reasons to love this chicken pasta:
- Flavorful: Believe us when we say this – this chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe is one of the BEST pasta dishes we’ve ever made. The Alfredo sauce and cream cheese provide the best creamy texture, and the bacon and ranch seasoning come together to make each bite more flavorful than the last.
- So Easy: Did we already say this dish only takes 20 minutes and one pot to make? It bears repeating! We absolutely love easy weeknight dinners like this.
- Kid Friendly: This easy one pot meal truly has it all. It’s creamy, savory and cheesy. There’s seriously nothing we don’t love about this easy recipe. Oh – and it’s picky eater approved! The kids can’t get enough of this pasta dinner!
If you’re craving more easy pasta dinner recipes, don’t worry. We have some fabulous recipes for you! We recommend trying our kid-friendly chili mac, cheesy stuffed shells with spinach, and Instant pot spaghetti and meatballs. So good!
Key Ingredients
Below you will find helpful notes for key ingredients used to make this chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact amounts!
- Rotini Pasta: You can use any similar style noodle – elbow or penne work wonderful as well!
- Cream Cheese: A regular (not low fat) cream cheese will yield the creamiest sauce.
- Alfredo Sauce: We like to use Rao’s brand Alfredo sauce.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: If possible, try to freshly shred the cheese right off the block for the best flavor and texture.
- Ranch Seasoning: Dry seasoning packet, any brand works!
- Shredded and Cooked Chicken: This is a great way to use up that leftover chicken in your fridge. Or, make some easy Instant Pot shredded chicken.
- Crumbled Bacon: Fresh cooked and crumbled bacon is best, but bacon bits work in a pinch!
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
I love chicken pasta recipes that come together in just 20 minutes. Below is a quick recipe overview, but please scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full instructions and to watch the step-by-step video.
- Noodles: Cook the noodles according to package directions until they’re just al dente. They’ll continue to cook a bit when combined with the other ingredients. Drain.
- Add cream cheese: Mix in the cream cheese and stir until melted.
- Combine: Add the Alfredo sauce, cheese, and ranch seasoning. Finally, fold in the cooked chicken and bacon. You’re done!
Cook’s Tips & Variations
- Cheese Please: Want more melty cheese? You can also add a layer of shredded cheese right on top of the pasta and place it under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes to melt the cheese. We sometimes do this if we are feeling extra cheesy that night!
- Spice It Up: We’re usually catering towards kids, so while we don’t add any heat, you sure can! This pasta can be made a bit spicier with a chopped jalapeño – just toss it in with the cream cheese. A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes would also be tasty!
- Make Your Own: While we gravitate toward convenience in this recipe, feel free to make your own chicken, Alfredo sauce, and/or seasoning mix! You can make this recipe as simple as you like or add your own homemade twist!
What to Serve With Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Some nights, this delicious dinner is served all on its own. However, there are plenty of side dishes that you could easily pair it with!
- Salad: Serve this pasta with your favorite salad we’re nuts about wilted lettuce salad with bacon vinaigrette dressing!
- Roasted Vegetables: Parmesan roasted broccoli is such a classic.
- Garlic Bread: A slice of toasted garlic bread is always sure to be a huge hit.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Ingredients
- 16 oz rotini pasta, penne also works great
- 5 oz cream cheese, softened
- 16 oz jarred Alfredo sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 oz packet ranch seasoning
- 2 cups shredded and cooked chicken
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon, about 8 strips bacon
Instructions
- Bring a large stock pot of salted water to a boil. Boil pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain pasta and return to pot over low heat.
- Quickly add cream cheese to pasta and stir until cream cheese is melted and well incorporated.
- Add Alfredo sauce, cheddar cheese and ranch seasoning and stir to combine. Fold in cooked chicken and crumbled bacon. Serve immediately!
The kids really liked it and it was easy, which is worth 5 stars for those reasons alone. The flavors were good, I added some cooked broccoli to it and some chicken I had cooked in the air fryer while the pasta water was boiling. It came together quickly as promised. Next time I think I’ll use a little less cheese though. I had to keep adding pasta water because it just seemed too gummy and super cheesy.
I tried this last night and it was super easy and delicious. I didn’t have a rotisserie chicken, but used sausage. It was great!
This is our new family favorite past dish. My kids went back for THIRDS. No joke! So good and I love that it’s made in one pot.