Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta, blending savory flavors for a satisfying meal. Rich with crispy bacon, tender chicken, and a tangy ranch sauce, you’ll savor each delicious bite of this crowd-pleasing dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
Pasta and Dairy:
- 8 ounces (225g) penne pasta
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in a generously salted water pot until perfectly tender, ensuring al dente texture. Carefully drain and set aside, preserving the pasta’s ideal consistency.
- Render the bacon pieces in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, cooking until golden and crisp. Extract the bacon with a perforated utensil, allowing excess fat to drip away on absorbent paper towels. Reserve approximately two tablespoons of rendered bacon fat within the skillet.
- Season chicken fragments with robust salt and cracked pepper. Sear the seasoned chicken in the residual bacon drippings, rotating occasionally to achieve a uniform golden-brown exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking.
- Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, releasing its aromatic essence for approximately 30 seconds. Incorporate ranch seasoning and velvety heavy cream, gently encouraging the mixture to simmer and develop rich flavor profiles.
- Reintegrate the cooked chicken and crispy bacon into the creamy sauce. Fold in the pasta, allowing each strand to become enveloped in the luxurious mixture. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until completely melted and creating a silky, cohesive sauce.
- Transfer the decadent pasta to serving dishes, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant touch. Serve immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and creamy consistency.
Notes
- Customize the pasta’s texture by cooking it slightly less than package instructions for a firmer bite.
- Use thick-cut bacon for extra crunch and richer flavor that complements the creamy sauce.
- Choose boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for more moisture and tenderness.
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to reduce calories while maintaining a creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 735
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1010mg
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 165mg