Description
A creamy and flavorful pasta dish combining chicken, bacon, and ranch dressing, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 strips bacon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (Rotini recommended)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
Instructions
- In a large skillet over low heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Set it aside, reserving the drippings.
- Slice the chicken into thinner pieces and season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Increase the skillet heat to medium-high and sear the chicken in the reserved bacon drippings until golden brown and cooked through. Let it rest and then cube it.
- In a pot, boil salted water and cook your pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt the butter over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.
- Whisk in the flour and gradually add the half and half, stirring constantly until smooth.
- Stir in ranch seasoning and shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta and cubed chicken to the sauce, mixing well. Garnish with the chopped bacon when serving.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute half and half with low-fat milk or a plant-based alternative.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: pasta, chicken, bacon, ranch, comfort food, quick dinner