Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
A creamy and delicious pasta dish that combines chicken, bacon, and ranch dressing for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta or any pasta you prefer
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Boil a large pot of salted water, add penne pasta, and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside, saving about a cup of pasta water for later.
Cooking the Bacon
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy, stirring occasionally.
Sautéing the Chicken
- Remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside. Add chicken pieces to the leftover bacon grease, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
Combining Ingredients
- Lower the heat to medium-low. Stir in ranch seasoning mix, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese until the cheese melts and the mixture is creamy.
Mixing in the Pasta
- Gently fold in cooked penne pasta with the chicken and sauce. Add reserved pasta water gradually until desired creaminess is achieved.
Finishing Touches
- Toss the crispy bacon back into the pan. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Feel free to add more bacon if you're a fan. You can use leftover rotisserie chicken for convenience. To sneak in veggies, consider adding spinach or cherry tomatoes with the chicken during cooking.