Description

Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac is a comforting pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts, crispy bacon, and a rich, creamy cheese sauce infused with garlic and ranch seasoning. This hearty recipe blends cheddar cheese, half and half, and a hint of Italian herbs to create a delicious family-friendly meal that’s perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
6 strips bacon

Dairy

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups half and half
2 tablespoons butter

Pasta

2 cups uncooked pasta (Rotini recommended)

Seasonings & Miscellaneous

Salt and Pepper to taste
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix

Instructions

Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon strips until crispy. Once cooked, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the skillet for cooking the chicken.
Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken to the skillet with reserved bacon fat and cook on medium heat until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center, roughly 5-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove from the skillet and let rest, then chop or shred into bite-sized pieces.
Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Make the Cheese Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk in the flour and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to form a roux, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
Add Liquids and Seasoning: Gradually whisk in the half and half, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue to cook and whisk until the sauce thickens, approximately 3-5 minutes. Stir in the dry ranch dressing seasoning mix until fully incorporated.
Add Cheese: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper to taste if needed.
Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked pasta, chopped chicken, and crispy bacon pieces into the cheese sauce. Gently fold all ingredients together until everything is evenly coated in the creamy ranch cheese sauce.
Serve: Serve the creamy chicken bacon ranch mac warm, optionally garnished with extra shredded cheese or fresh herbs like parsley for added color and flavor.

Notes

For a lighter option, substitute half and half with whole milk, but the sauce will be slightly less creamy.
You can use other pasta shapes like fusilli or elbow macaroni if rotini is unavailable.
To add a little vegetable nutrition, consider mixing in steamed broccoli or peas when combining the pasta and sauce.
Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
For a spicier twist, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes while cooking the garlic.

Keywords: creamy chicken bacon ranch mac, cheesy chicken pasta, bacon mac and cheese, ranch pasta, comfort food recipe