Description
Creamy chicken & turkey bacon ranch pasta brings comfort straight from homestyle kitchens to dinner tables with bold southwestern flavors. Hearty ingredients combine seamlessly, promising delicious satisfaction that you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 strips turkey bacon
Pasta and Cheese:
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (Rotini recommended)
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
Seasonings and Other Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups half and half
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Render turkey bacon in a skillet over gentle heat until crispy and golden, allowing fat to release. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and crumble once cooled.
- Slice chicken breasts into uniform thin medallions, then season comprehensively with aromatic spices including salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian herbs.
- Utilize the rendered bacon fat to sear chicken pieces in the same skillet, cooking over medium-high temperature until exterior develops a rich caramelized crust and interior reaches complete doneness.
- Allow chicken to rest momentarily before cubing into bite-sized pieces, preserving internal moisture.
- Simultaneously, prepare pasta in generously salted boiling water, cooking until it reaches perfect al dente texture with slight resistance when bitten.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and introduce minced garlic, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.
- Sprinkle flour into the butter-garlic mixture, whisking continuously to create a smooth roux without lumps.
- Gradually stream half and half into the roux, stirring consistently to develop a velvety, creamy consistency.
- Incorporate ranch seasoning and shredded cheese, stirring until sauce becomes uniformly smooth and slightly thickened.
- Fold pasta into the creamy ranch sauce, ensuring each noodle is thoroughly coated.
- Gently fold cubed chicken into the pasta, distributing evenly throughout the dish.
- Garnish with crumbled turkey bacon, creating a textural and flavor-packed finale.
- Serve immediately while sauce remains warm and luxurious.
Notes
- Reserve bacon drippings for extra flavor boost, adding depth to the chicken and sauce.
- Slice chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry spots.
- Choose low-sodium ranch seasoning if watching salt intake, maintaining delicious taste profile.
- Consider gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or cornstarch to make recipe celiac-friendly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 120mg