Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta: A Comforting and Creamy Delight
When it comes to comfort food, few dishes can rival the creamy, savory richness of Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta. This mouth-watering recipe combines the best of several beloved flavors: smoky bacon, tender chicken, and a tangy ranch dressing sauce. Tossed with hearty rotini pasta and coated in a velvety cheese sauce, each bite offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or hosting a cozy dinner gathering, this dish is sure to please. What’s more, it’s quick and easy to make, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
For the Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta:
- Chicken Breasts (2 small boneless, skinless): The chicken provides a lean protein base and soaks up the ranch seasoning and flavors from the bacon, making it tender and flavorful.
- Bacon (6 strips): Bacon adds a smoky, salty crunch that enhances the dish’s savory flavor profile. Cooking the bacon in the same pan as the chicken infuses the chicken with extra flavor.
- Pasta (2 cups rotini recommended): Rotini’s spiral shape holds onto the sauce, making each bite extra creamy. Other pasta shapes like penne or fusilli also work well.
- Cheddar Cheese (2 cups shredded): Cheddar adds a sharp, creamy element to the sauce, blending perfectly with the ranch seasoning.
- Butter (2 tablespoons): Butter is the base for making the sauce creamy and rich. It helps to sauté the garlic and form a smooth consistency when combined with the flour.
- Flour (2 tablespoons): This is used to make a roux, thickening the sauce to the perfect creamy texture.
- Garlic (1 tablespoon minced): Garlic brings aromatic depth to the sauce, infusing it with savory richness.
- Half and Half (2 cups): Half and half creates a luscious, creamy base for the sauce without being too heavy. It’s the perfect balance between milk and cream.
- Dry Ranch Dressing Seasoning Mix (2 tablespoons): This gives the sauce its signature tangy ranch flavor, making the dish undeniably delicious.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, these seasonings enhance all the flavors in the dish, ensuring the ranch and cheese shine.
- Onion Powder (1 teaspoon): A subtle, savory addition that complements the ranch seasoning and garlic.
- Italian Seasoning (1 teaspoon): Adds an herby complexity that marries beautifully with the rest of the ingredients.
Instructions
1. Cook the Bacon:
Start by cooking the bacon in a large skillet over low heat. Let the bacon slowly crisp up, allowing the smoky flavors to develop. Once the bacon is crispy, remove it from the pan, set it aside to cool, and roughly chop it into bite-sized pieces. Don’t discard the bacon drippings—they’ll be used to cook the chicken and add even more flavor to the dish.
2. Prepare the Chicken:
While the bacon is cooking, slice the chicken breasts into thin pieces. Season them with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. The seasoning helps enhance the flavor of the chicken and gives it a savory boost. Using the bacon drippings, sear the chicken in the same skillet over medium-high heat until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Let it rest for a few minutes before cubing it into bite-sized pieces. The chicken will absorb all the smoky goodness left behind by the bacon, making it incredibly flavorful.
3. Boil the Pasta:
While you’re cooking the chicken and bacon, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente (usually about 10-12 minutes for rotini). Once done, drain the pasta and set it aside. Be sure to save a little pasta water in case you need it to adjust the sauce later.
4. Make the Sauce:
In the same skillet, melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic over medium heat until fragrant—about 1 minute. Add the flour to the pan and stir to create a roux, cooking for another minute to remove the raw taste of the flour. Gradually pour in the half and half, stirring constantly to create a smooth sauce. Then, add the ranch seasoning mix and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is thick and creamy.
5. Combine the Pasta, Chicken, and Bacon:
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy ranch sauce, then toss in the cubed chicken. Stir to combine, making sure everything is evenly coated in the creamy sauce. Garnish with the chopped bacon and a little extra cheese if desired. The final result should be a beautiful, creamy pasta dish that’s full of flavor and texture.
6. Serve:
Serve the Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta hot, garnished with fresh parsley or additional cheese if you prefer. It pairs wonderfully with a side salad or roasted vegetables to balance the richness of the dish.
Notes
- Vegetables: For added nutrition, consider tossing in some sautéed spinach, bell peppers, or tomatoes to the pasta. These vegetables will add color, flavor, and texture to the dish.
- Cheese: If you’re not a fan of cheddar, feel free to swap it out with mozzarella, parmesan, or a blend of your favorite cheeses.
- Protein: Swap out the chicken for turkey or a plant-based protein like tofu for a different twist. If you prefer something heartier, try adding some cooked sausage or ground beef.
- Gluten-Free Option: You can easily make this dish gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and ensuring the ranch seasoning is gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free Option: Use dairy-free cheese and cream alternatives (such as coconut cream or almond milk) to make this recipe suitable for a dairy-free diet.