Description
Quick and satisfying Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta brings comfort to dinner tables with its rich, tangy flavors. Perfectly balanced ingredients blend seamlessly, ensuring you savor each delightful bite of this hearty, crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 300 g (10 oz) pasta (penne, rotini, or favorite shape)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsps parsley, fresh, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Generously salt a large pot of water, bringing it to a vigorous boil. Submerge pasta and cook until al dente, precisely following package instructions for optimal texture.
- Liquid Reserve: Once pasta reaches desired tenderness, drain in a colander, strategically retaining 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid to enhance sauce consistency and flavor depth.
- Sauce Construction: In a spacious skillet, crisp bacon until golden and perfectly rendered, creating a rich, smoky foundation. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving behind flavorful drippings.
- Protein Sauté: Within the same skillet, introduce diced chicken, seasoning thoroughly and cooking until golden brown and completely cooked through, ensuring juicy, tender meat.
- Creamy Transformation: Reduce heat and incorporate cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and reserved pasta water, whisking continuously to create a silky, luxurious sauce that coats ingredients seamlessly.
- Final Fusion: Gently fold cooked pasta into the creamy mixture, allowing each strand to become lovingly enrobed. Sprinkle crispy bacon pieces and optional fresh herbs, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
Notes
- Optimize Pasta Texture: Cook pasta al dente to maintain a perfect chewy consistency, which helps the sauce cling better and prevents mushy results.
- Starch Water Magic: Reserved pasta water acts as a secret weapon for adjusting sauce thickness and enhancing overall flavor, so never discard it completely.
- Control Boiling Precision: Use a large pot with ample water and consistent high heat to ensure even pasta cooking and prevent clumping or sticking.
- Drain Strategically: Shake colander gently to remove excess water without losing pasta’s natural moisture, creating an ideal base for creamy sauce integration.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 1281 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1414 mg
- Fat: 88 g
- Saturated Fat: 38 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 44 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 56 g
- Cholesterol: 244 mg