Description
A comforting dish of tender pasta, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 strips bacon
- Salt/Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (Rotini recommended)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
Instructions
- In a large skillet over low heat, cook the bacon until crisp and golden. Set aside and reserve drippings. Once cool, chop the bacon.
- Slice chicken breasts, season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Sear in reserved bacon drippings until golden and cooked through. Let rest and cube.
- Bring salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Drain well.
- In the skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic. Add flour and stir well. Gradually mix in half and half, then stir in ranch seasoning and cheddar cheese until creamy.
- Toss pasta into sauce, then add cubed chicken and sprinkle bacon on top. Serve warm.
Notes
For a lighter version, swap half-and-half for chicken broth and Greek yogurt. Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or peas.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: chicken, pasta, bacon, ranch, comfort food, weeknight dinner