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Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta: Quick Weeknight Dinner

A close-up of penne pasta coated in a rich, white sauce with chicken pieces and topped with crumbled bacon, representing Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta.
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Make this incredibly satisfying Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta tonight. This recipe delivers rich flavor and a perfect creamy texture fast, making it an easy family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk ranch dressing (good quality)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
  3. Add the olive oil to the skillet if needed. Add the chopped chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside with the bacon.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and the ranch dressing until combined. Let the sauce warm through but do not boil.
  7. Stir in the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Return the cooked chicken and cooked bacon to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the rich sauce.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley. This is the best creamy ranch chicken pasta you will make!

Notes

  • For an extra cheesy flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-shredded.
  • If you want to turn this into a quick casserole, mix the pasta, sauce, chicken, and bacon in a baking dish, top with more cheese, and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes until bubbly.
  • Use high-quality, thick-cut bacon for the best flavor payoff in this family favorite creamy pasta dinner.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/creamy-chicken-bacon-ranch-pasta-recipe/