Creamy BBQ Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta – A Smoky, Cheesy Bowl of Comfort You’ll Crave Again and Again!
Tender chicken, crispy bacon, creamy ranch, and sweet BBQ sauce all tossed with pasta and melty cheese… this is comfort food at its finest. Perfect for busy nights or weekend treats, it’s the kind of dish that brings everyone running to the table.
I first made this on a chilly evening when I was craving something rich and smoky. I had some leftover BBQ chicken and ranch dressing in the fridge—boom, this creamy dream was born. The flavors melt into each other like they were always meant to be together!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken (grilled or rotisserie), shredded or chopped
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: green onions or parsley, for garnish
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add cooked chicken and stir to warm through.
- Add BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, and cream. Stir well and let it simmer for 3–4 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta, bacon, and shredded cheese. Mix everything together until the cheese is melted and the sauce coats the pasta.
- Season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish with green onions or parsley and serve hot!
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approximate)
| Calories | 580 kcal |
| Fat | 35 g |
| Carbohydrates | 36 g |
| Protein | 29 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 720 mg |
Printable Recipe Summary
| Creamy BBQ Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta | |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Chicken, pasta, cheese, BBQ sauce, ranch, bacon, cream |
| Instructions | Cook pasta, mix sauces with chicken, combine with cheese and bacon, serve hot |
FAQs
Q: Can I use any BBQ sauce?
Yes! Go sweet, smoky, or spicy depending on your taste—just make sure it’s one you love.
Q: Can I skip the bacon?
Sure, but it adds a nice crunch and smokiness. You can sub with turkey bacon or even crispy fried onions.
Q: What cheese works best?
Cheddar is perfect, but a mix of mozzarella and sharp cheddar gives an even creamier texture.
Q: How to store and reheat?
Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on low heat with a splash of milk to keep it creamy.
