How to make slow cooker creamy bacon ranch chicken (video)

Chicken, bacon, ranch dressing — it all seems like it's meant to go together. All this combination needs is a vehicle to carry those flavors through, a vehicle such as pasta, perhaps. Just the thing needed for a perfect meal, which is what you'll get when you toss these ingredients into your slow cooker and let them simmer away for an afternoon.

The sauce is made super creamy with cream cheese and ranch dressing, and small bits of crispy bacon give it a smoky bite. Chicken, bacon and ranch dressing have become known as a classic trio for a reason; the combo has everything you need!

Cooktop Cove

Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Ranch Chicken

15 minutes

5 hours, 30 minutes

5 hours, 45 minutes

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

6 strips of bacon, cooked and diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup ranch dressing

1 cup cream cheese

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 cups cooked short pasta, such as penne or rigatoni, with 1 cup cooking water reserved

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Place chicken in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.

In a large bowl, combine bacon, garlic, ranch dressing, cream cheese, water, salt and pepper. Stir well to thoroughly incorporate all ingredients, and then pour over chicken. Mix to combine.

Cover and cook on low for 5 hours, or on high for 3 hours.

Remove lid at the end of the cooking time and add cooked pasta, reserved cooking water and dill. Stir to combine, top with cheese, cover and cook for another 30 minutes or so, until the cheese is melted and the ingredients have simmered together.