Description
Creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta blends hearty comfort with zesty ranch flavors, creating a crowd-pleasing dinner delight. Home cooks will savor this quick, satisfying meal that brings family and friends together around one delicious skillet.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
Protein:
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
Additional Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) penne pasta, uncooked
- 18 ounces (510 grams) water
- 4 ounces (113 grams) heavy cream
- 1 cup (113 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) ranch seasoning
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Render bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden. Transfer crispy bits to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving 2 tablespoons of rendered fat in the pan.
- Sear chicken cubes in the bacon drippings, cooking until completely opaque and tender. Transfer chicken to a warm plate, covering to maintain temperature.
- Pour water into the same skillet, incorporating ranch seasoning. Gently introduce penne pasta, stirring to distribute seasoning evenly.
- Simmer pasta with lid partially covered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until pasta reaches al dente texture, absorbing most liquid. Add minimal water if pan appears dry.
- Reintroduce cooked chicken and crispy bacon to the skillet. Pour heavy cream and sprinkle shredded cheese, stirring continuously until cheese melts completely.
- Allow mixture to rest off heat for 5 minutes, enabling sauce to thicken and flavors to meld harmoniously. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Bacon Selection Matters: Choose thick-cut bacon for extra crispiness and robust flavor that stands up well in the pasta dish.
- Liquid Management: Monitor pasta liquid carefully, adding water gradually to prevent sticking or burning while ensuring perfect pasta texture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Remove pan from direct heat when adding cheese to prevent separation and create smooth, creamy sauce.
- Low-Carb Alternative: Swap penne pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly version without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 675
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg