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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe
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★★★★★

5.3 from 12 reviews

This creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a cheesy ranch sauce with perfectly cooked rotini pasta for a comforting and flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese and Seasonings

  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix

Protein

  • 6 strips bacon
  • 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts

Pasta

  • 2 cups uncooked pasta (Rotini recommended)

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 2 cups half and half

Instructions

  1. Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over low heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside, reserving the drippings in the skillet. Once cooled, roughly chop the bacon.
  2. Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into thinner pieces. Season them well with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken slices in the reserved bacon drippings over medium-high heat until golden brown and fully cooked. Let them rest briefly, then cube the chicken.
  3. Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  4. Make the Sauce: In the skillet used for the bacon and chicken, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Stir in the flour and cook for about a minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in the half and half, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add the ranch seasoning mix and shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  5. Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Gently fold in the cubed chicken and cooked bacon pieces. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

  • For best results, reserve the bacon drippings to cook the chicken for added flavor.
  • Rotini pasta is recommended as its grooves hold the sauce well, but other pasta shapes like penne or fusilli also work great.
  • Use freshly shredded cheddar cheese for a smoother melt and richer flavor.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook the roux a little longer before adding the half and half.
  • This dish can be reheated gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
  • To make lower-fat, substitute half and half with milk and reduce butter to 1 tablespoon, though the sauce will be lighter.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, bacon pasta, easy dinner recipe, cheesy ranch pasta

Find it online: https://tastybynova.com/chicken-bacon-ranch-pasta-recipe/