Description
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a cozy, creamy, and protein-rich dinner that comes together fast. Stuffani Borjat’s go-to for busy weeknights, it’s packed with ranch flavor, crispy bacon, and melty cheddar the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.
Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6 strips bacon
2 cups uncooked pasta (rotini, penne, or rigatoni)
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups half and half or whole milk
2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing mix
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons flour
Instructions
1. Lay out the bacon and let it rest at room temperature. Cook low and slow until crisp. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings.
2. Toss chicken in flour, salt, and Italian seasoning. Sear in bacon drippings until golden brown. Set aside.
3. Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente. Drain and reserve.
4. In the skillet, sauté garlic in bacon drippings. Slowly whisk in warmed milk or half and half, ranch mix, onion powder, and cheddar until smooth.
5. Add chicken and pasta back to the skillet. Toss gently until fully coated and creamy. Top with crumbled bacon before serving.
Notes
Stuffani’s Tip: Warm the dairy before adding to the skillet to prevent curdling and achieve a silky sauce.
Storage: Keeps 3 days in the fridge. Freeze sauce and chicken separately for best results.
Reheat: Add a splash of milk or cream on low heat before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 940mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: chicken bacon ranch pasta, creamy ranch chicken pasta bake, quick family dinner ideas, high-protein chicken recipes