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Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 68 reviews

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish combining tender chicken, crispy bacon, and flavorful ranch seasoning with perfectly cooked rotini pasta. It’s a satisfying meal perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering, bringing together classic American flavors in a rich, homemade sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Meat

  • 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 6 strips bacon

Pasta and Dairy

  • 2 cups uncooked pasta (Rotini recommended)
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups half and half

Seasonings and Others

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the 6 strips of bacon until crispy. Remove bacon from skillet and place on paper towels to drain excess fat. Once cooled, crumble the bacon and set aside.
  2. Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. In the same skillet with a little bacon fat or butter, cook the chicken over medium heat until cooked through and no longer pink in the center, about 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove from skillet, let rest briefly, then slice or cube the chicken.
  3. Cook the pasta: In a large pot, cook the 2 cups of rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  4. Make the sauce base: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons flour and whisk continuously to form a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden and smooth.
  5. Add liquid and seasonings: Slowly whisk in 2 cups half and half, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer and allow the sauce to thicken, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Combine cheese and ingredients: Reduce heat to low and stir in 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Add the cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, and drained pasta to the sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly in the ranch cheese sauce.
  7. Serve: Spoon the creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta onto plates while hot. Optionally, garnish with extra cheese, chopped parsley, or green onions for added freshness and color.

Notes

  • Rotini pasta works best as it holds the sauce well, but other short pasta like penne or fusilli can be substituted.
  • For a lighter version, substitute half and half with whole milk, but the sauce will be less creamy.
  • Make sure to cook the bacon and chicken thoroughly for food safety.
  • Dry ranch seasoning mix adds authentic flavor; homemade ranch seasoning can be used if preferred.
  • This dish reheats well and can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Keywords: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta, Cheesy Pasta, Comfort Food, Rotini Pasta, Ranch Dressing Recipe

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/creamy-chicken-bacon-ranch-pasta-recipe-2/