Description
A creamy and comforting pasta dish packed with savory bacon, tender chicken, and a rich, cheesy ranch sauce.
Ingredients
- → 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- → 6 strips bacon
- → Salt and pepper to taste
- → 1 teaspoon onion powder
- → 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- → 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
- → 2 cups uncooked pasta (Rotini recommended)
- → 2 tablespoons butter
- → 2 tablespoons flour
- → 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- → 2 cups half and half
- → 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon until crispy. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add to the skillet with bacon fat and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Melt butter in the skillet. Whisk in flour for 1 minute to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in half-and-half until the sauce is smooth and thickened slightly. Whisk in minced garlic, onion powder, and dry ranch seasoning. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
- Crumble the crispy bacon over the top. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a smoother sauce, make sure to whisk the roux constantly as you add the half-and-half.
- Use a good quality dry ranch seasoning mix for the best flavor.
- For a different texture, try a different type of pasta like penne or fusilli.
- This dish is best served immediately. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta