Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta
This bacon ranch chicken pasta is creamy, cheesy, and packed with savory flavor. Tender chicken, crispy bacon, and rich ranch sauce make it a perfect weeknight comfort meal.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Skillet or Sauté Pan
- Wooden Spoon
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
Ingredients
Pasta & Chicken
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Sauce & Cheese
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- salt to taste
- optional parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the bacon: In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and crumble, leaving a small amount of fat in the pan.
- Sauté garlic: Add minced garlic to the bacon fat and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add chicken and sauce: Add cooked chicken, ranch dressing, and milk to the skillet. Stir and heat until warmed through.
- Combine pasta and cheese: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Stir in cheddar and mozzarella until melted and creamy.
- Finish with bacon and season: Stir in crumbled bacon. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley if desired.