Description
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich creamy sauce for an easy, mouthwatering dish. Perfect for a quick dinner or a comforting meal, it’s a favorite for families and food enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized cubes)
- ¼ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- ½ cup finely diced onion (1 small yellow onion)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth (more as needed)
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
- 1 packet (1 ounce) dry ranch seasoning mix
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional garnish)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Measure out heavy cream and let it come to room temperature; set aside.
- In a large deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cubes, season with pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
- In the same pan, add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 5 to 6 minutes, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Keep 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat in the pan.
- Add the diced onion to the pan with the reserved bacon grease; sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until soft. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth, then add the uncooked pasta and dry ranch seasoning mix. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cover, simmering for 10 minutes until the pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
- Lower to medium-low heat and stir in the heavy cream. Return the cooked chicken and bacon to the skillet, stir well, and simmer for another 5 minutes until heated through and the sauce slightly thickens. If desired, stir in shredded cheese until melted.
- Let cool for an extra 5 minutes, covered. Garnish with parsley or chives, if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
You can use any short pasta like penne, rotini, or shell pasta for this dish.
Feel free to add more vegetables like spinach or peas for extra nutrition.
Ensure the chicken is fully cooked before mixing back into the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 145mg