Description
This Crock Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked with ranch seasoning and cream cheese, then combined with cheddar, heavy cream, spinach, and crispy bacon. Tossed with perfectly cooked rotini, this hearty pasta meal is rich, flavorful, and simple to prepare in your slow cooker.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Protein
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 strips bacon (cooked and chopped)
Liquids & Dairy
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese (cut into 8 cubes)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Vegetables & Herbs
- 2 cups fresh spinach (chopped)
Pantry
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ounce packet dry ranch mix
- 1 pound rotini pasta (cooked to al dente)
Instructions
- Prepare the crock pot and chicken: Place chicken breasts at the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot. Pour the low sodium chicken broth over the chicken to keep it moist during cooking.
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle black pepper and the dry ranch seasoning evenly over the chicken. Then, place the cream cheese cubes on top of the seasoned chicken to allow it to melt into a creamy sauce as it cooks.
- Cook the chicken: Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Ensure an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Combine cheeses and other ingredients: Carefully remove the chicken from the crock pot. Add shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce left in the crock pot and mix until well combined. Then stir in heavy whipping cream, chopped spinach, and chopped cooked bacon, mixing thoroughly to integrate all flavors.
- Return chicken and cook again: Add the chicken back into the crock pot with the cheese and vegetable mixture. Continue cooking uncovered for 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Cook pasta separately: While the sauce is finishing cooking, prepare the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well to avoid excess water diluting the sauce.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Stir the cooked pasta into the crock pot mixture, ensuring the pasta is coated well with the creamy ranch sauce. Serve immediately while hot, and enjoy!
Notes
- The fully cooked chicken can be cut into bite-sized cubes or shredded, depending on your preference.
- Always confirm the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before serving to ensure food safety.
- Use shredded cheese from a block rather than prepackaged shredded cheese for better taste and smoother melting.
- Cook pasta separately and add it to the sauce at the end to ensure the pasta remains perfectly cooked and not soggy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
