Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
This Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a delicious and comforting dish that combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy ranch sauce, all tossed with your favorite pasta. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it's quick to prepare and satisfying for the whole family.
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- 1 skillet
- 1 colander
- 1 measuring cups
- 1 measuring spoons
- 1 wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ΒΌ cup chopped fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove excess grease if necessary.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the bacon. Add the heavy cream and ranch dressing. Stir well to combine and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of water or chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and combined.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
Feel free to customize this dish by adding your favorite vegetables, such as spinach, peas, or bell peppers.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave or warm on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.