Crockpot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
This easy and delicious crockpot chicken bacon ranch pasta combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, creamy ranch flavoring, and perfectly cooked pasta into one convenient slow cooker meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled (reserve 2 tablespoons for garnish)
- 2 packets dry ranch seasoning mix (1 oz each)
- 2 cups chicken broth (low sodium recommended)
- 2 cups heavy cream (or substitute half-and-half for a lighter option)
- 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened and cubed
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 16 oz pasta (penne or rotini work wonderfully)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon dried dill (enhances the ranch flavor profile)
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper adjust to taste
- 0.5 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Gather and prep all ingredients. Cut chicken, cook bacon, dice onion, and mince garlic.
- Cook bacon until crispy. This can be done the night before for convenience.
Layering
- Place cubed chicken in the bottom of the crockpot and season with salt and pepper.
- Mix together chicken broth, 1 packet of ranch seasoning, minced garlic, and diced onion in a medium bowl.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken in the crockpot.
Cooking
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3 hours or HIGH for 1.5 hours.
Creamy Sauce
- After the initial cooking time, add cream cheese, heavy cream, and the remaining ranch seasoning. Stir gently.
Adding Pasta
- Stir in the uncooked pasta and cook on HIGH for an additional 30-45 minutes.
Cheese and Bacon
- Add most of the cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon. Stir gently to combine.
Finishing Touches
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with reserved bacon, remaining cheese, parsley, and green onions.
Notes
For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and light cream. Gluten-free pasta can be substituted for those with dietary restrictions.