Description
Hearty chicken bacon ranch pasta brings comfort to dinner tables with rich, indulgent flavors. Cheesy, crispy bacon and tender chicken create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 strips bacon
Pasta and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (rotini, penne, rigatoni, bow tie, etc.)
- 2 cups half and half (can substitute whole milk)
- 1 12 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing a spacious baking dish for the pasta preparation.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, render bacon until crisp and golden, removing pieces and reserving bacon grease for additional flavor.
- Sauté diced chicken in the residual bacon grease, seasoning with salt and pepper, cooking until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Crumble bacon into bite-sized pieces while chicken cooks, setting aside for later garnish.
- Lower skillet heat and add cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and milk, stirring continuously to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Incorporate shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce, whisking until completely melted and integrated.
- Fold cooked pasta into the ranch cheese sauce, ensuring every noodle is thoroughly coated.
- Transfer pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese and crumbled bacon across the top of the pasta.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbling and slightly golden around the edges.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for added color and brightness.
Notes
- Bacon Crispness Matters: Cook bacon until it’s perfectly crispy but not burnt, as it provides crucial texture and smoky flavor to the pasta dish.
- Chicken Preparation Tip: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure better browning and more intense flavor when searing in the pan.
- Sauce Smoothness Technique: Gradually whisk in cheese at low heat to prevent clumping and create a silky, creamy sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
- Dietary Adaptation: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives and use turkey bacon for a lighter version that still delivers incredible taste and satisfaction.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 673
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg