Description
Creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta delivers comfort in every forkful. Cheesy noodles combined with crispy bacon and tender chicken create a hearty meal that satisfies hungry diners without complicated preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken breast, diced
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Pasta and Dairy:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Oils:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta by boiling in salted water until al dente, then thoroughly drain and reserve.
- Season the chicken pieces with a blend of aromatic spices including salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Sauté the seasoned chicken in a heated skillet with olive oil, cooking until the exterior turns a rich golden brown and the meat is completely cooked through.
- Remove the chicken and use the same skillet to crisp the bacon until it reaches a deep, crunchy texture.
- Crumble the bacon into rustic pieces and set aside with the cooked chicken.
- Create a luxurious sauce by combining heavy cream and ranch dressing in the skillet, whisking until smooth and gently simmering.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring continuously until the cheese melts completely and creates a silky consistency.
- Return the cooked pasta to the skillet, followed by the crispy chicken and crumbled bacon.
- Gently toss all ingredients together, ensuring each component is generously coated with the creamy ranch sauce.
- Transfer to serving dishes and optionally garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
Notes
- Adjust salt levels carefully since bacon and Parmesan are naturally salty, which can easily overwhelm the dish’s flavor balance.
- Choose thick-cut bacon for maximum crispiness and robust flavor that holds up well in the creamy sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to reduce total calories and fat content.
- Consider gluten-free pasta options like chickpea or rice pasta to make the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 754
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1214 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 142 mg