chicken bacon ranch

Chicken Bacon Ranch Protein Pasta

Written by Published on in Lunch and Dinner, recipes
chicken bacon ranch
Alissa Marie Wellness

Chicken Bacon Ranch Protein pasta

Creamy, savory and loaded with protein without feeling heavy. This chicken bacon ranch pasta uses Greek yogurt instead of mayo or ranch for a lighter ranch dressing, protein pasta to keep you full and simple add-ins for crunch and freshness. Great for meal prep or an easy weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
35 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Calories: 430
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box Barilla Protein+ pasta about 14.5 oz
  • 2 medium chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 6 slices turkey bacon
  • 1 cup arugula
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup red onion thinly sliced
Greek Yogurt Ranch
  • 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 –3 tsp ranch seasoning to taste
  • Splash of water or milk to thin if needed
Crunchy Topping
  • 1/4 cup toasted breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta in well-salted water according to package directions. Drain and let cool slightly.
  2. Cut chicken into cubes and season with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Grill or pan-sear until cooked through, then rest and slice or cube.
  3. Cook turkey bacon until crispy, then chop.
  4. Toast breadcrumbs in a dry skillet until golden. Remove from heat and let cool.
  5. In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt with ranch seasoning until smooth. Thin with a splash of water or milk if needed.
  6. In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, bacon, arugula, tomatoes and red onion.
  7. Toss with Greek yogurt ranch until evenly coated.
  8. Fold in breadcrumbs and Parmesan or sprinkle on top just before serving.

Notes

Cooking Tips

  • Salt your pasta water well. This is where most of the flavor comes from since the sauce is lighter.
  • Let the pasta cool slightly before adding the yogurt ranch so it stays creamy and doesn’t separate.
  • You can toss arugula in last so it lightly wilts without turning soggy.
  • Add the breadcrumbs and Parmesan just before serving for the best crunch.
  • For meal prep, store the breadcrumb topping separately and add fresh when reheating.
 
Nutrient Amount
Calories 430 kcal
Protein 34g
Carbs 42 g
Fat 4 g
Fiber 6 g

Gut Health Benefits

  • Protein pasta provides more protein and fiber than traditional pasta, helping slow digestion and support stable blood sugar.
  • Greek yogurt ranch adds probiotics and replaces heavy cream-based dressings, making it easier to digest.
  • Arugula and red onion supply prebiotic fibers that feed beneficial gut bacteria.
  • Lean chicken and turkey bacon support muscle and satiety without excess saturated fat.
  • Balanced fat, protein, and fiber helps reduce blood sugar spikes and post-meal bloating.

3 Comments

  1. Carly's avatar
    Carly
    January 6, 2026 at 9:13 am  ·  Reply

    I am anxious to try this recipe! Thank you for sharing this with us.

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