Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta: Creamy, Cheesy Comfort Food in Under an Hour
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is the ultimate comfort food recipe that combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich, cheesy ranch-infused sauce. Ready in just 50 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you need to impress guests with minimal effort. Packed with flavor, customizable, and family-friendly, this dish will quickly become a household favorite.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 2 cups of uncooked rotini or penne shapes that hold onto sauce like a dream.
- Bacon: 6 strips cooked until crispy and chopped.
- Chicken Breasts: 2 small thinly sliced for even cooking.
- Seasonings: Salt pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning to elevate the flavors.
- Butter: 2 tablespoons to form the base of the sauce.
- Garlic: 2 cloves minced for aromatic goodness.
- Flour: 2 tablespoons to thicken the sauce.
- Half and Half: 1½ cups for creaminess.
- Ranch Seasoning Mix: 1 packet—the star ingredient!
- Cheddar Cheese: 1 cup shredded for that gooey finish.
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside. Pro tip: save a splash of pasta water in case your sauce needs loosening later!
- Crisp Up the Bacon
- In a skillet over low heat, cook the bacon until golden and crispy. Remove it, let it drain on paper towels, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Who doesn’t love the smell of frying bacon wafting through the house?
- Sear the Chicken
- Season the chicken slices with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. In the same skillet (with those delicious bacon drippings), sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through—about 5-6 minutes per side. Set aside.
- Make the Sauce
- Melt butter in the skillet, add minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant. Sprinkle in flour, stirring constantly to form a roux. Slowly whisk in half and half, letting it thicken. Stir in the ranch seasoning mix and shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy. This is where the magic happens!
- Combine Everything
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, stirring to coat each piece evenly. Return the chicken to the skillet, mixing it all together. Finally, sprinkle the crispy bacon on top. Voilà—you’ve got yourself a bowl of pure comfort!
Notes
- For extra veggies, add steamed broccoli, peas, or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Use gluten-free pasta and flour for a gluten-free option.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat with a splash of milk or cream to restore creaminess.