Description

Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac is a comforting and flavorful pasta dish combining tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich, creamy ranch cheese sauce. This recipe features rotini pasta coated in a luscious blend of cheddar cheese and half-and-half, enhanced with garlic, onion powder, and Italian seasoning for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
6 strips bacon

Cheese and Dairy

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups half and half
2 tablespoons butter

Dry Goods

2 cups uncooked pasta (Rotini recommended)
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix

Seasonings

1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon strips until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon, place on paper towels to drain, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve a small amount of bacon fat in the skillet for extra flavor.
Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. In the same skillet with a bit of reserved bacon fat, cook the chicken over medium heat until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove chicken and let rest before dicing into bite-sized pieces.
Make the Roux & Sauce: In the skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly, to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the half and half, continuing to stir until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
Add Flavorings & Cheese: Stir in the dry ranch dressing seasoning mix, then fold in the shredded cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Combine Ingredients: Return the diced chicken and chopped bacon to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and gently toss to coat everything evenly in the creamy ranch cheese sauce. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Serve: Serve the Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac hot, garnished with extra shredded cheddar or fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

Rotini pasta is recommended as it holds the creamy sauce well, but other short pasta shapes like penne or fusilli can be substituted.
For a lower-fat version, use light half and half and reduce the amount of butter and cheese.
Make sure not to overcook the pasta; al dente texture ensures the best mouthfeel with the creamy sauce.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
For added freshness, garnish with chopped parsley or chives before serving.

Keywords: Creamy, Chicken, Bacon, Ranch, Macaroni, Pasta, Cheddar Cheese, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner