Hands layering bacon over sauced chicken in a slow cooker
Hands layering bacon over sauced chicken in a slow cooker
Cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, or on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours, until the chicken is very tender and reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C). The bacon will render and baste the chicken as it cooks.
About 20 minutes before you plan to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
Pasta draining in a colander beside a pot on the stove
Pasta draining in a colander beside a pot on the stove
Once the chicken is done, use two forks to gently shred or chunk it into bite-size pieces right in the slow cooker, mixing it with the rendered bacon and sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed (the ranch and bacon are both salty, so you may not need extra salt).
Add the hot, drained pasta to the slow cooker and toss gently until the noodles are well coated with the bacon-chicken sauce. Alternatively, you can plate the pasta and spoon the bacon chicken and sauce over the top for a neater presentation.
Finished bacon chicken pasta being tossed in the slow cooker
Finished bacon chicken pasta being tossed in the slow cooker
Serve warm, making sure each portion gets a good mix of chicken, bacon, and sauce. Leftovers keep well, covered and refrigerated, for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth if the pasta has absorbed too much sauce.
Variations & Tips
For a creamier version, stir 4 ounces of softened cream cheese into the slow cooker during the last 30 minutes of cooking, letting it melt into the sauce before adding the pasta.
If you prefer a slightly lighter dish, use turkey bacon and low-sodium condensed soup, and swap some of the pasta for steamed vegetables such as broccoli florets or peas folded in at the end. To lean more into Amish-style flavors, serve the bacon chicken mixture over buttered egg noodles and finish with a generous grind of black pepper.
Bacon chicken mixture served over buttered egg noodles
Bacon chicken mixture served over buttered egg noodles
You can also change up the seasoning packet: a garlic and herb blend or onion soup mix will give a different but equally cozy profile. For those who like a bit of heat, sprinkle in red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce when you mix the soup and ranch.
Finally, if you want crispier bacon texture, remove the cooked bacon with tongs just before shredding the chicken, crisp it briefly in a skillet, then crumble it back over the finished pasta right before serving.
