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Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta: The Ultimate Weeknight Comfort Food

Close-up of creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta featuring penne noodles, diced chicken, and crumbled bacon.
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I am so glad you are here. This creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe proves that soul-satisfying food does not need to be complicated. Make this easy, family-favorite pasta for a delicious weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini work well)
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) dry ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Keep about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet; discard the rest.
  3. Add the olive oil to the skillet with the bacon grease. Add the cut chicken pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until it is browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and the dry ranch seasoning mix. Whisk until the sauce is smooth. Let the sauce warm through but do not let it boil.
  7. Stir in the shredded cheddar/Jack cheese and the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is melted and creamy. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Return the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the creamy ranch sauce.
  9. Stir in half of the crumbled bacon. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
  10. Serve immediately, topping each portion with the remaining crispy bacon crumbles.

Notes

  • For a quicker meal, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breasts. Add the shredded chicken when you add the sauce ingredients.
  • If you want a baked version, transfer the sauced pasta to a baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes until bubbly.
  • You can add 1 cup of steamed broccoli florets when you combine the pasta and sauce for added vegetables.

Nutrition

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

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