Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
- Brianne Thomas
- Jul 27, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
This delicious pasta dish is full of crispy bacon and juicy chicken pieces tossed in a homemade ranch dressing.
Do you have a feeling of panic when you hear the age-old question, “What’s for dinner?” Eliminate the uncertainty by whipping up this mouthwatering creamy pasta dish that promises to satisfy even the pickiest eaters! Imagine a rich, velvety sauce enveloping perfectly cooked pasta, complemented by tender, juicy pieces of chicken that add a hearty protein boost. The addition of crispy bacon brings a satisfying crunch and a smoky flavor that elevates the entire meal. To top it all off, the sharp tang of white cheddar cheese melts beautifully into the mix, creating a luscious, cheesy experience that will have everyone coming back for seconds. This dish not only simplifies your dinner planning but also guarantees a comforting and delicious meal that the whole family will love.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Quick: This meal is fast to prepare in just a few simple steps.
Flavor: Smoky bacon, juicy chicken, and ranch seasoning create a dish that everyone will want more of.
Leftovers: The sauce thickens over time but reheats nicely with a bit of broth or cream.
How to Serve Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Pair this hearty pasta with a side of Sauteed Sugar Snap Peas and a delicious homemade Garlic and Herb Sourdough Boule for a satisfying meal that those Italian Chain Restaurants can’t beat!
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Helpful Tips for Making Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Salt Water. Always add salt to your water when making pasta. It's the only chance you have to season the pasta itself.
Pasta Water. Reserve a ¼ cup of pasta water prior to draining. You can add a splash to the sauce if it is too thick to your liking.
Room Temperature. Keep the Half & Half at room temperature before adding it to the sauce. This will help keep the sauce from curdling.
Cheese. Freshly shredded melts better because it doesn’t have the additional preservatives that keep it from caking together.
How to Prep Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta In Advance
To prepare Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta in advance, cook the pasta for one minute less than the al dente stage, then follow the remaining instructions as directed. Once cooked, transfer the pasta to a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Sprinkle with an additional 1 ½ cups of shredded sharp white cheddar cheese on top, cover with aluminum foil, and store it in the refrigerator for up to two days. When you're ready, bake it covered at 350°F for 40 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 5 minutes to achieve a nice, bubbly finish.
Skip the store and make your own Homemade Dry Ranch Seasoning!
DIY Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix
2 Tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried dill
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Use in place of store-bought ranch seasoning mix. A one-ounce store-bought packet is the equivalent of approximately 3 Tablespoons DIY Dry Ranch Seasoning Mix.
More Delicious Pasta Recipes
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Ingredients
12 ounces penne pasta
2 Tablespoons Garlic & Cayenne Infused Olive Oil
1-pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1-pound bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
3 Tablespoons Homemade Dry Ranch Seasoning
1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
2 Tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
Bring 5 cups of water with 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil over medium-high heat.
Add 12 ounces of penne pasta to a large pot of salted boiling water. Cook for approximately 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 Tablespoons Garlic & Cayenne Infused Olive Oil and 1-pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces.
Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, cook the bacon for approximately 5-6 minutes or until crispy. Depending on the size of your pan, you may have to fry bacon in small batches. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet. When bacon is cool enough to handle, crumble the strips into pieces.
Add 1 medium diced onion to skillet and sauté for approximately 2-3 minutes or until onions become tender and lightly translucent. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute or until fragrant.
Pour in 1 cup of room-temperature heavy cream and ½ cup homemade chicken stock, then stir in the ranch seasoning mix. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, along with the cooked pasta and crumbled bacon.
Stir in 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar and ¼ freshly grated Parmesan cheese, allowing them to melt and coat the pasta evenly. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta, if using.
Serve immediately.
How to Store Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How to Freeze Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
I do not recommend freezing this dish due to the separation that happens to the cream sauce.
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