Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, but be sure to save about 1/2 cup of pasta water—just in case you need to thin out the sauce later.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Leave a little bit of bacon grease in the skillet for flavor (because bacon fat is basically magic).

Step 3: Cook the Chicken
In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and heat over medium-high. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then cook them in the skillet until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the skillet and set it aside with the bacon.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Ranch Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the ranch dressing, heavy cream, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir everything together until it’s well combined and the sauce starts to heat up.

Step 5: Add the Cheese
Add the grated Parmesan cheese and shredded cheddar cheese to the skillet. Stir constantly until the cheese melts into the sauce and the sauce is creamy and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to thin it out to your desired consistency.

Step 6: Combine It All
Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and bacon to the skillet with the creamy ranch sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta in that cheesy, bacon-y goodness. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or ranch dressing if needed.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra crumbled bacon (because, why not?). This dish is comfort food at its finest and will have you coming back for more!