Description
Creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta delivers comfort and flavor in one irresistible dish. Perfectly seasoned noodles combine crispy bacon, tender chicken, and zesty ranch for a meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound Chicken Breasts
- 6 slices Bacon
- 8 ounces Pasta
Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup Ranch Dressing
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 cloves Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional:
- 1 cup Vegetables
Instructions
- Render bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until achieving a crisp, golden texture, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving roughly one tablespoon of rendered fat in the cooking vessel.
- Introduce diced chicken to the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper, and sauté until developing a rich, caramelized exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking, about 7-10 minutes.
- Incorporate minced garlic during the final minute of chicken preparation to intensify the aromatic profile.
- Reduce heat to low, then integrate ranch dressing and heavy cream, whisking thoroughly to create a smooth, cohesive sauce.
- Allow the sauce to gently simmer, thickening slightly; adjust consistency with chicken broth if needed.
- Simultaneously, prepare pasta according to package guidelines, then drain thoroughly.
- Combine pasta with the creamy chicken mixture, ensuring complete and even coating.
- Fold in crumbled bacon and optional vegetables, warming through to meld flavors.
- Serve immediately while the dish maintains optimal temperature and sauce consistency.
Notes
- Choose thick-cut bacon for more robust flavor and crispier texture that holds up well in the pasta.
- Reserve just enough bacon fat to add richness without making the dish overly greasy, which enhances overall taste profile.
- Swap chicken with turkey or plant-based protein like tofu for dietary flexibility and different nutritional needs.
- Use lighter cream options like half-and-half or Greek yogurt for reduced-calorie version without compromising creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg