Description
Creamy Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta is a quick and flavorful comfort meal made with tender seared chicken, crispy bacon, and a cheesy ranch-infused cream sauce. Perfect for beginners and ideal for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 strips bacon
- 2 cups uncooked rotini pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the bacon over low heat until crisp. Set aside on a paper towel and reserve 2 tablespoons of the drippings in a small bowl. Wipe the skillet clean to prevent burning during the next steps.
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into thinner cutlets for quicker cooking. Pat dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. In the same skillet, heat the reserved bacon drippings over medium-high and sear the chicken on each side until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Let it rest before dicing into bite-sized pieces.
- Boil the Pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Make the Cream Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and sauté the garlic for about a minute until fragrant. Add the flour and stir constantly for one more minute to create a roux. Warm the half and half slightly in the microwave, then gradually pour it into the skillet while stirring to avoid lumps. Let the sauce come to a gentle bubble, then reduce the heat to low.
- Add Flavor and Cheese: Stir in the dry ranch seasoning and gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, mixing until smooth and fully melted. The sauce should be creamy and slightly thickened.
- Combine Everything: Add the drained pasta into the skillet and fold it gently into the sauce using a spatula. Stir in the diced chicken and chopped bacon. Let everything heat through for a couple of minutes, then serve warm.
Notes
- For the creamiest texture, use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-packaged. You can substitute half and half with milk for a lighter sauce or heavy cream for a richer one. Smoked sausage can be used in place of chicken for a different twist. Add frozen peas, broccoli, or spinach for extra nutrition. To make it a casserole, top with additional cheese and bake at 350°F for 20–30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 552
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 893mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 137mg