Description
Creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta brings comfort and zest to weeknight dinners, blending hearty ingredients into one satisfying meal. Crispy bacon, tender chicken, and tangy ranch create a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 strips bacon
Pasta and Base Ingredients:
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (rotini, penne, rigatoni, or bow tie)
- 2 cups half and half (or whole milk)
- 3 tablespoons flour
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare bacon at room temperature for optimal crispiness. Heat a skillet over medium-low temperature and render bacon until golden and crisp, reserving drippings in the pan.
- Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and a light dusting of flour. Sauté the seasoned chicken in remaining bacon drippings until exterior turns golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- In the same skillet, quickly sauté minced garlic for 30-45 seconds to release aromatic oils without burning. Gently pour warmed half and half while continuously whisking to prevent scorching.
- Gradually incorporate shredded cheese and ranch seasoning into the cream base, stirring consistently until sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Fold cooked chicken and pasta into the creamy ranch sauce, ensuring each component is evenly coated and heated through. Allow mixture to simmer for 1-2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Transfer to serving dishes and generously garnish with crumbled bacon. Serve immediately while sauce remains warm and pasta maintains optimal texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients like cheese and bacon to ensure even cooking and better flavor integration.
- Gently fry bacon on low heat to prevent burning and maintain a crispy texture without excessive greasiness.
- Season chicken thoroughly with a blend of spices and lightly dust with flour for a golden, crispy exterior that locks in moisture.
- Reserve some bacon drippings to enhance the sauce’s depth and richness, adding an extra layer of smoky flavor.
- Whisk sauce ingredients slowly and consistently to prevent lumping and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
- For a lighter version, substitute half and half with low-fat milk or Greek yogurt and use lean chicken breast.
- Consider gluten-free alternatives like using gluten-free pasta and cornstarch instead of flour for coating chicken.
- Customize by adding vegetables like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra nutrition and color.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg