Description
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy ranch sauce, making for an irresistibly cheesy, comforting dish. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, it’s a go-to weeknight meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes or until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Ranch Sauce: In the same skillet, add the ranch seasoning mix, heavy cream, and milk. Stir and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add the Cheeses: Stir in the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Combine the Pasta and Chicken: Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce. Stir until everything is well coated. Add the crumbled bacon and mix until evenly distributed.
- Serve: Serve the pasta warm, garnished with freshly chopped parsley for added color and flavor.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can use low-fat milk and cheese, or opt for turkey bacon instead of regular bacon.
- This dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in a skillet or microwave before serving.
- Feel free to swap the penne pasta for any other type of pasta you prefer, such as rotini or rigatoni.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta, creamy ranch pasta, cheesy chicken pasta, easy chicken dinner, bacon ranch pasta, pasta with ranch seasoning, cheesy pasta recipes