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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a comforting and creamy dinner that combines tender chicken, smoky bacon, and a luscious ranch-based sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight meals, this dish blends familiar flavors into a rich and satisfying pasta that everyone loves. Easy to prepare and customizable, it offers a hearty, flavorful meal with a perfect balance of creamy, savory, and smoky notes.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder
  • 6 slices bacon

Pasta & Dairy

  • 12 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk or cream

Seasonings & Garnishes

  • Garlic powder, to taste
  • Onion powder, to taste
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
  2. Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and cooked through, then slice or dice into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Cook the Bacon: In the same skillet or separate pan, cook bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble into pieces, reserving bacon fat if desired.
  4. Make the Sauce: Lower the heat and add ranch dressing, milk or cream, and shredded cheese to the skillet. Stir gently until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce is too thick.
  5. Combine Everything: Toss the cooked pasta, chicken, and bacon into the sauce. Mix well until everything is evenly coated and heated through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as necessary.

Notes

  • Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness and help the sauce cling.
  • Use reserved bacon fat to enrich the sauce’s smoky flavor.
  • Keep sauce on low heat to avoid dairy separation.
  • Reserve pasta water to thin the sauce and help it coat the pasta.
  • Add fresh parsley or chives just before serving for vibrant flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta, creamy pasta, comfort food, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe

Find it online: https://mealsbysarah.com/chicken-bacon-ranch-pasta/