Get ready for a dinner the whole family will devour! This Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is creamy, cheesy, and packed with ranch flavor, tender chicken, and crispy bacon. It’s a set-it-and-forget-it recipe that makes busy nights so much easier—and so much tastier!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Creamy and Cheesy Goodness: Packed with rich ranch flavor, tender chicken, and crispy bacon for the ultimate comfort food.
- Effortless Cooking: Let the slow cooker do the work, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Family Favorite: A hearty, satisfying dish that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds!
🥘 Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast: Tender chicken that becomes perfectly juicy and flavorful when slow-cooked.
- Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and enhances the savory base of the dish.
- Black Pepper: A simple seasoning that adds just the right touch of warmth and depth.
- Dry Ranch Packet: Infuses the dish with tangy, herby ranch flavor everyone loves.
- Cream Cheese: Cubed for easy melting, it creates a creamy, velvety texture.
- Cheddar Cheese: Adds rich, cheesy goodness for the ultimate comfort dish.
- Heavy Cream: Enhances the sauce’s creaminess and richness.
- Spinach: Chopped for a pop of freshness and a boost of greens.
- Microwavable Bacon: Crispy and chopped, it brings smoky, savory bites to every forkful.
- Rotini Pasta: The perfect spiral pasta to hold all the creamy, cheesy sauce.
- Scallions (Optional): A fresh, vibrant garnish to add a pop of color and flavor.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Spicy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for a zesty kick.
- Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake: Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish, top with extra cheese, and bake at 375°F until golden and bubbly.
- Low-Carb Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta: Replace the pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly option.
🔪 How To Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Step One: Place the chicken breasts in an 8-quart slow cooker and pour the chicken broth on top.
Step Two: Season the chicken with the pepper and ranch packet. Place the cubed cream cheese all over the top. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked.
Step Three: Remove the chicken and set aside. Mix in the cheddar cheese, heavy cream, spinach, and bacon until well combined. You can either shred the chicken or cube it, then place it back into the slow cooker and cover and cook for another 30 minutes.
Step Four: While that’s cooking, boil the pasta on the stove until the noodles are cooked.
Step Five: Drain and then mix the pasta into the slow cooker and stir well.
Step Six: Top with chopped scallions and cheddar cheese! Serve and enjoy.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Cheese Upgrade: Use freshly grated cheddar for extra creaminess—it melts better and adds richer flavor!
- Bacon Boost: Crisp the bacon in a skillet first for a crunchier texture and smoky depth.
- Seasoning Kick: Add a pinch of garlic powder to the ranch seasoning for an extra savory kick.
- Pasta Perfection: Toss the cooked pasta in a bit of olive oil before mixing to prevent it from clumping.
💭 FAQs
Short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or rotini holds the creamy sauce well.
Yes, rotisserie chicken saves time and works perfectly for this dish. Simply shred it and add it to the slow cooker.
Cook the pasta al dente and mix it into the sauce just before serving.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some sides to serve with Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta:
- Green Mashed Potatoes: A comforting side packed with herbsto enhance the hearty meal.
- Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks: The buttery and garlicky crunch is perfect for soaking up the creamy ranch sauce.
- Cheddar Biscuits: Fluffy and cheesy, these biscuits are a delightful carb-filled accompaniment.
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Maple Syrup: Crispy and savory, these make a great sidekick to the pasta’s cheesy flavors.
- Peach Caprese Salad With Blueberries: A refreshing mix of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil provides a bright and tangy contrast.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
- ½ Cup Chicken Broth
- ½ tsp. Black Pepper
- 1 Packet Dry Ranch
- 8 oz. Cream Cheese (Cubed)
- 1 ½ Cup Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- 2 Cups Spinach (Chopped)
- 8 Strips Microwaveable Bacon (Cooked and chopped)
- 1 lb. Rotini Pasta
- Scallions (Optional)
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in an 8-quart slow cooker and pour the chicken broth on top.
- Season the chicken with the pepper and ranch packet. Place the cubed cream cheese all over top. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked.
- Remove the chicken and set aside. Mix in the cheddar cheese, heavy cream, spinach, and bacon until well combined. You can either shred the chicken or cube it, then place it back into the slow cooker and cover and cook for another 30 minutes.
- While that’s cooking, boil the pasta on the stove until the noodles are cooked.
- Drain and then mix the pasta into the slow cooker and stir well.
- Top with chopped scallions and cheddar cheese! Serve and enjoy.
