Description
Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with crispy bacon—this quick chicken bacon ranch pasta is a weeknight hero the whole family will devour.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups uncooked rotini pasta
Protein
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (sliced into thin cutlets, then cubed after cooking)
- 6 strips bacon (cooked until crisp, chopped; reserve 1 Tbsp drippings)
Sauce & Seasoning
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp fresh garlic, minced
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 tbsp dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
- 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Place 6 bacon strips in a large cold skillet over medium-low heat. Cook, turning occasionally, until browned and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Reserve about 1 tablespoon bacon drippings in the skillet and roughly chop the bacon.
- Season & sear chicken: Slice 2 small chicken breasts horizontally into thinner cutlets. Season both sides with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Increase heat to medium-high and sear in the bacon drippings for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Rest briefly, then cube.
- Boil pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 2 cups rotini to al dente according to package directions. Drain well; set aside.
- Make ranch cream sauce: In the same skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute more. Gradually whisk in half and half until smooth. Stir in dry ranch seasoning and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Finish & serve: Reduce heat to low; stir in cheddar until fully melted and smooth. Add cooked pasta and cubed chicken, tossing to coat. Serve warm topped with the crispy chopped bacon.
Notes
Tip: For extra silky sauce, add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed. Swap rotini with penne or shells, and adjust ranch seasoning to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, Pasta
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 980
- Fat: 38
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 120
