Description
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish combining tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a luscious ranch sauce tossed with pasta. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, it delivers rich flavor in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients that please both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 strips of bacon
Sauce
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne or rotini pasta
Optional Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente, following package directions. Drain and set aside while preparing the rest of the dish.
- Cook the Bacon: Fry bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve some bacon fat if desired for extra flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: In the same skillet, season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes per side until fully cooked. Slice or cube the chicken once done.
- Make the Sauce: Lower the heat and add ranch dressing and heavy cream (or milk) to the skillet with the chicken drippings or bacon fat. Stir gently and allow to simmer briefly. Add shredded cheese and stir until melted to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Combine Everything: Add cooked pasta, chicken, and bacon pieces back to the skillet. Toss thoroughly until pasta is coated with the ranch sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Reserve a small amount of pasta water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Do not overcook the chicken to keep it moist; using a meat thermometer is recommended.
- For easier bacon preparation, bake in the oven on a sheet pan for even crispiness.
- Use a quality ranch dressing with herbs and buttermilk flavor for best taste.
- For an ultra-rich sauce, add a splash of cream cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: chicken, bacon, ranch, pasta, creamy, quick dinner, weeknight meal, comforting, easy recipe
