Description
Hearty chicken bacon ranch pasta brings comfort to your dinner table with its creamy, indulgent blend of savory flavors. Crispy bacon, tender chicken, and zesty ranch combine in this irresistible dish that promises to satisfy your most intense cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz penne pasta or rotini
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- 6 slices bacon
Dairy and Seasonings
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic
Herbs and Spices
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Crisp bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and completely rendered, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to paper towels, crumble, and reserve.
- In the same skillet, season chicken with salt, pepper, and onion powder. Sauté over medium-high heat until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, approximately 6-8 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken, let rest for 3-5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium-low. Melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Whisk ranch dressing, sour cream, heavy cream, and shredded cheddar into the skillet, creating a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Incorporate cooked pasta into the sauce, gently stirring to coat evenly.
- Fold in sliced chicken and crumbled bacon, sprinkle dried parsley, and mix thoroughly.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with additional cheese or parsley if desired. Enjoy hot.
Notes
- Bacon Preparation: Crisp bacon in a cold skillet for more even rendering and minimal burning, ensuring maximum flavor and perfect texture.
- Chicken Cooking Tip: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Pasta Texture Hack: Reserve a small amount of pasta water to help sauce adhere better and create a silkier, more cohesive dish if sauce seems too thick.
- Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap pasta with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice for a lighter, keto-friendly version that maintains the rich, creamy flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg