Chicken bacon ranch pasta is a delicious and creamy dish that combines pasta with tender pieces of chicken and a flavorful ranch dressing.
This recipe has been recently updated on 7/15/20 with new photos and information to help you get the perfect recipe! Chicken Ranch Pasta has been a reader's favorite recipe since 2012!
This chicken ranch pasta recipe has all my favorite flavor combos which include bacon, ranch, and cheddar! The recipe has been adapted for a WW-friendly version but if you are not following WW feel free to use ingredients that are not fat-free.
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Why You Will Like This Recipe
The butter, flour, and ranch seasoning create a roux to help thicken the sauce. Sprinkle the flour and ranch seasoning over the chicken once that is has been cooked in the butter. I like to use light butter to help to keep it be more on the WW friendly side.
I love using rotisserie chickens for this recipe and they are perfect for a meal like this! You don't have to wait for the chicken to get done cooking and this dish takes half the time. Use up to 2 cups of already cooked rotisserie chicken. I have not tried this recipe yet with other proteins.
Ingredients Needed
- Penne pasta - or any shape of pasta will work
- Slice bacon, diced
- Light butter - I use light butter to help reduce the calories.
- Chicken breast, boneless & skinless - They’re lean and quick-cooking and always come out juicy and tender. Use an instant-read thermometer to make sure that the chicken is not over cooked. When reading labels for chicken breasts try to find ones that say Organic or Free Range.
- All-purpose flour - is a type of wheat flour that is commonly used in cooking and baking. It is versatile and can be used for a variety of recipes, including bread, cakes, cookies, and pastries.
- Ranch dressing mix
- Milk - Dairy does not like me at all so I go for a lactose free milk such as Fairlife. It also has more protein in it.
- Fat free shredded cheddar cheese - has a lower calorie count and less saturated fat than regular cheese, but it may also have a different taste and texture. It also helps with keeping the calorie count pretty low for this recipe.
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Scallions, chopped (optional)
- See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Chicken Ranch Pasta
Step 1: Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Remove all the extra bacon fat from the pan.
Step 2: Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the butter to the pan, then add the chicken to the same skillet. Cook until tender, no longer pink, and slightly browned.
Note: Skip to step 3 if using precooked chicken.
Step 2: Sprinkle the flour and ranch dressing mix over the chicken, stirring to coat evenly. Add the noodles, broth, and milk, and cook. Let everything simmer in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Check the pan and stir occasionally.
Step 4: When the noodles are cooked through add the cheddar cheese and half of the reserved bacon; cook and stir until the cheese is melted. Cover the pot for a few minutes to melt the cheese.
Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
Makes 6 servings, 1 cup serving size.
Toppings:
Only use half of the cheese the recipe calls for in the sauce so you can sprinkle that on top of the pasta. I also like to add some bacon and chopped scallions.
Recipe FAQs
Nutrition info is calculated with the zero point food included in the recipe I use the WW app to figure out points and myfitnesspal for nutrition.Â
The points for the recipe will always be listed in the Notes section of the recipe.Â
Other Recipes to Try for Dinner
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PrintWeight Watchers - Chicken Ranch Pasta
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
his chicken ranch pasta recipe has all my favorite flavor combos which include bacon, ranch, and cheddar! The recipe has been adapted for a WW friendly version but if you are not following WW feel free to use ingredients that are not fat-free.Â
Ingredients
- 8oz penne pasta
- 4 slice bacon, diced
- 2 tablespoons of light butter
- 1 large chicken breast, boneless & skinless, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ pkg dry ranch dressing mixÂ
- 1 ½ cups fat-free milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ c fat free shredded cheddar cheese
- salt & pepper to taste
- 2 scallions, chopped (optional)Â
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Remove all the extra bacon fat from the pan.Â
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the butter to the pan, then add the chicken to the same skillet. Cook until tender, no longer pink, and slightly browned.
- Sprinkle the flour and ranch dressing mix over the chicken, stirring to coat evenly.
- Add the noodles, broth, and milk, and cook. Let everything simmer in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Check the pan and stir occasionally.
- When the noodles are cooked through add the cheddar cheese and half of the reserved bacon; cook and stir until the cheese is melted. Cover the pot for a few minutes to melt the cheese.
- Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
Notes
WW Points: 8 Click here to see in recipe builder (will have to log in)Â
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20-30 min
- Category: Medium
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 284
- Sugar: 2
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 24
Jenna says
I updated the serving size in the recipe.
Chrystal Cunningham says
what would you consider a serving? 1/2C or less or more
Thank you!
Nelofar Shaik says
Chicken and pasta together. One of my favorite dishes.
The sauce came out just as it should be or maybe like I want it to be.
Jokes apart.
I loved it. Happy Pasta time.
Please share more
Samantha says
This was really simple and tasted great!
Jenna says
This is a pretty old recipe and I haven't made it in a while. Not sure what the serving size is but you can figure that out your self by portioning out the recipe into 6 equal servings.
Chelsea says
What is the serving size? Making this tonight!!
Jenna says
For Weight Watcher recipes they use Saturated Fat to calculate smart points so that is why I only listed the SF amount. Sorry.
Lindsay says
How many grams of fat? You have saturated fat, but I’m concerned about actual.
Allie says
Any idea how many smart points this would be without the cheese? I don't eat cheese and it's so hard to find recipes without it, but I want to be accurate with my points. Thanks!
Jenna says
Nope, I don't really care for the new Smart Points plan and it is a pain to keep up with their points system since they change it all the time. I will post calorie info from time to time since calories never change.