Description

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy, tangy ranch sauce tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. Easy enough for busy weeknights yet special enough for a family dinner, this crowd-pleasing dish will satisfy every craving.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Pasta

12 ounces penne or rotini pasta

Chicken

2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

Bacon

6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped

Sauce

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning mix (or 3 tablespoons homemade)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Garnish (Optional)

Chopped fresh parsley
Extra Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and crumble once cool. Reserve about 1 tablespoon bacon drippings in the pan.
Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the bacon drippings. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute to create a roux. Gradually pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Stir in the ranch seasoning, then bring to a gentle simmer until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the Chicken and Cheese: Stir in the cooked chicken, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Toss Everything Together: Add the cooked pasta and most of the chopped bacon to the sauce. Gently toss until everything is well combined and the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce.
Serve: Dish the pasta into bowls and garnish with remaining bacon, fresh parsley, and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

Use rotisserie or leftover chicken for a quicker prep.
You can substitute turkey bacon or leave out bacon for a lighter version.
Try swapping penne with other short pasta such as fusilli or rigatoni.
For extra veggies, stir in steamed broccoli or peas near the end of cooking.
This pasta reheats well, so leftovers are great for lunch the next day.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 690
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 1160mg
Fat: 34g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 59g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 39g
Cholesterol: 130mg