Description
Creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta delivers comfort and flavor in one spectacular dish. Rich parmesan, crispy bacon, and tender chicken mingle with ranch seasoning for a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs chicken breast
- 0.5 lbs bacon
Pasta and Base:
- 1 lb penne pasta or rotini
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup chicken broth
Seasonings and Extras:
- 2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish for the pasta.
- Dice the chicken breast into bite-sized cubes, ensuring uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Crisp the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and fully rendered, then chop into small pieces.
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- In the same skillet used for bacon, sauté the chicken cubes with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until golden brown and cooked through.
- Combine heavy cream and chicken broth in a mixing bowl, whisking in the ranch seasoning mix until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Layer the cooked pasta in the prepared baking dish, topping with seasoned chicken and crumbled bacon pieces.
- Pour the creamy ranch sauce evenly over the pasta mixture, ensuring all ingredients are well-coated.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the dish for a rich, melty finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and slightly bubbly.
- Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and green onions for a burst of color and fresh flavor.
- Let the pasta rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set and flavors to meld together.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is cut into uniform pieces to guarantee even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Drain bacon on paper towels to remove excess grease, which helps maintain the dish’s overall texture and prevents sogginess.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like monterey jack or pepper jack for added flavor complexity and personal preference.
- Make the recipe gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with chickpea or zucchini noodles and using a gluten-free ranch seasoning mix.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 700
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg