Description
Comforting creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta delivers a delightful symphony of flavors that dance across your palate. Crispy bacon, tender chicken, and zesty ranch blend seamlessly in this crowd-pleasing meal you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 300 g (10 ounces) pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Drain thoroughly, preserving a small portion of starchy pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- Select a spacious skillet and warm olive oil over medium heat. Introduce diced chicken seasoned with salt and pepper, sautéing until golden and completely cooked through, ensuring no pink remains.
- Without cleaning the skillet, gently sauté minced garlic until aromatic, releasing its rich flavor profile. Carefully pour heavy cream and chicken broth, creating a smooth liquid base.
- Incorporate ranch seasoning mix into the simmering liquid, allowing the sauce to gradually thicken and develop complex flavors. Stir consistently to prevent scorching.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Parmesan cheeses into the sauce, whisking until completely melted and creating a velvety texture. The cheese will enhance both richness and depth.
- Reintroduce crispy crumbled bacon and previously cooked chicken into the creamy sauce, ensuring each morsel is generously coated. Fold in the cooked pasta, gently tossing to distribute ingredients evenly.
- If the sauce appears too dense, gradually introduce reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency. The starchy liquid will help create a silky, clingy sauce.
- Finish the dish with a delicate garnish of fresh parsley and an optional sprinkle of Parmesan. Serve immediately alongside crusty garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Pasta Selection Matters: Choose short pasta like penne or rotini that catches sauce well, ensuring each bite is packed with creamy, tangy flavor.
- Chicken Cooking Precision: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Sauce Consistency Control: If sauce becomes too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to create a silky, smooth texture that clings beautifully to noodles.
- Bacon Crispiness Hack: Cook bacon separately until extra crispy, then crumble for maximum crunch and flavor distribution throughout the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg