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Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

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A quick and easy comforting dinner featuring tender chicken, smoky bacon, and creamy ranch sauce tossed with pasta. Perfect for cozy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces penne pasta or your favorite pasta shape
  • 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices of bacon, chopped (thick-cut recommended)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter option)
  • ½ cup cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup chicken broth (homemade or low-sodium store-bought)
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix (or homemade blend)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Optional: crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of penne pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 9 to 11 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving bacon fat in the skillet.
  3. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter to the bacon fat in the skillet. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add to skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove from heat.
  4. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in cream cheese until melted and smooth. Slowly whisk in heavy cream and chicken broth. Add ranch seasoning mix and stir to combine. Let sauce simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  5. Add cooked pasta, chicken, and bacon into the sauce. Toss until pasta is well coated. If using, stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes.
  6. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately while warm and creamy.

Notes

[‘Do not overcook pasta; aim for al dente to prevent mushiness.’, ‘Reserve pasta water to thin sauce if needed.’, ‘Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth sauce.’, ‘Cook chicken evenly by cutting into uniform pieces.’, ‘Do not discard bacon fat; it adds flavor and keeps chicken juicy.’, ‘Simmer sauce gently to avoid curdling.’, ‘Start cooking pasta and bacon simultaneously to save time.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, pasta recipe, ranch sauce, bacon pasta, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://islatable.com/creamy-chicken-bacon-ranch-pasta-recipe-easy-comforting-dinner-idea/