Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is another easy and delicious dinner recipe. My family ate it up!
I should just say “because bacon, carbs and cheese” and be done with the post. *Mic drop* It’s so cheesy, creamy and good. I don’t know what else to say because look at it! You could add broccoli if you wanted. That would be yummy.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Author: Mandy Bird
: Main
Serves: 8
Ingredients
- ½ lb penne pasta
- 8 slices bacon, diced
- 1Tbsp butter
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless & skinless, cut into bite sized pieces
- 2 Tbsp all purpose flour
- 1 pkg ranch dressing mix (1 oz)
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- salt & pepper to taste
Directions
- Cook pasta according to package directions in boiling salted water; drain, return to pot, and keep warm.
- Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Drain all but 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings from the pan.
- Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Add the butter to the reserved bacon drippings, then add the chicken to the same skillet. Cook until tender, no longer pink, and slightly browned.
- Add the flour and ranch dressing mix over the chicken, stirring to coat evenly. Stir in the milk, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and bubbly. Add in the cheddar cheese and half of the reserved bacon; cook and stir until the cheese is melted. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
- Add the pasta and stir to combine.
- Serve each plate of pasta with more bacon sprinkled over the top.
Adding broccoli to this would be criminal. I say ‘bacon, carbs and cheese’ all the way. Damn, I’m craving pasta at 8.00am now. It’s 10pm in Australia though so I’ll just pretend I’m there 😉
I know, I debated saying anything about the broccoli 🙂 There should be a cooking show called All Carbs All Day!
My husband would go crazy for this! You’ve just solved my problem of what to fix him for dinner while I’m gone for a couple nights next week!
Glad to help 😉
There are so many times I want to write like 3 words (aka: GO MAKE THIS) and be done with a post. I can totally understand why this is one of them 🙂
YES. Thanks, Gina!
This looks sinfully delicious!! YES!! Carbs all day!!
Cheesy carbs and bacon? I can see why you would just drop the mic and walk away. I would!
I think this sounds like the perfect weekend dinner for us!
Haha! Thanks, Meg!
This is one crazy awesome pasta dinner! All our favorite flavors in one pan of goodness!!!
It’s pretty much heaven on a plate. 🙂
This recipe was FANTASTIC. I actually used it for a hotel special where I work.
Great job!
Awesome! I’m glad you liked it 🙂
I’m ALL in favor of bacon, carbs and cheese! Perfect antidote for 0 degree weather!
My husband would eat this whole thing if I made it for him! So good!
My boys would love this for dinner!
Great mid-week recipe Mandy – loving the ranch and bacon combo!
Making this for dinner tonight! I can’t wait. Does anyone know how long cook time for this is? Just wondering so I know what time I should start.
It only takes about 30 minutes to make. I hope you like it! It’s a family favorite 🙂
I’ve made this a few times and love it! I want to make it for a friend of mine that is about to have a baby, any advise on freezing and reheating?
Thanks!
I’m glad you love it, Lauren! I’ve never frozen it but I would think you could make it and freeze it just fine. To reheat, just bake it at 350 degrees F until hot.
Do you add the pasta back in to the sauce and chicken after that has cooked? I wasn’t sure if you serve it over the pasta or mix it all together.
Yes, add the pasta back in. Sorry, I will update the instructions for this!