Description
A creamy and flavorful Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta combining tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich ranch-seasoned cheese sauce tossed with rotini pasta for a comforting and satisfying meal.
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
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the 6 strips of bacon until crispy. Remove bacon, place on paper towels to drain excess fat, then crumble once cooled. Reserve about 1-2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan for cooking chicken.
- Cook the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. In the same skillet with the reserved bacon grease, cook chicken breasts over medium heat until fully cooked and no longer pink in the center (about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness). Remove chicken, let rest, then dice or shred into bite-sized pieces.
- Make the ranch cheese sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in flour to make a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes while stirring continuously. Slowly whisk in the half and half, ensuring there are no lumps. Cook and stir until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the dry ranch seasoning mix and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine all ingredients: Add the cooked pasta, diced chicken, and crumbled bacon into the cheese sauce. Gently stir to combine and heat through for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or extra shredded cheese.
Notes
- Rotini pasta is preferred because its twists hold the sauce well, but any short pasta like penne or fusilli can be used.
- For a lighter version, substitute half and half with whole milk and reduce the cheese amount slightly.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- Adjust ranch seasoning mix amount according to desired flavor intensity.
- Ensure chicken is cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before combining with sauce.
Keywords: chicken bacon ranch pasta, creamy pasta recipe, cheesy pasta dinner, rotini chicken pasta, ranch seasoning pasta