Description

Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breast, crispy bacon, and a rich ranch-infused cheese sauce over perfectly cooked rotini pasta. This easy-to-make recipe balances savory and creamy textures, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
6 strips bacon

Pasta

2 cups uncooked rotini pasta

Sauce

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 cups half and half
2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the Pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Bacon. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon strips until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Once cooled, crumble the bacon and set aside.
Cook the Chicken. In the same skillet with some bacon fat (or a bit of butter if needed), season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Cook over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes per side until fully cooked and no longer pink inside. Remove from pan and dice into bite-sized pieces.
Prepare the Sauce. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in flour to create a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes until lightly golden.
Add Dairy and Seasoning. Slowly whisk in the half and half to avoid lumps. Cook and stir until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the ranch dressing seasoning mix, salt, and pepper to taste.
Add Cheese. Reduce heat to low and gradually mix in shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Combine Ingredients. Add the cooked pasta, diced chicken, and crumbled bacon into the sauce. Stir well to coat everything evenly and warm through for a couple of minutes.
Serve. Remove from heat and serve the creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta hot. Optionally garnish with extra cheese or fresh parsley.

Notes

Rotini pasta is recommended for its spiral shape that holds sauce well, but you can substitute with penne or fusilli.
For a lighter version, use milk instead of half and half.
To make it spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Ensure chicken is fully cooked by checking it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Keywords: chicken bacon ranch pasta, creamy chicken pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, pasta with bacon and cheese