Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (Print-Friendly Version)

Creamy pasta tossed with chicken, bacon, cheddar, and ranch for a rich and satisfying comfort meal.

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 340g penne or rotini pasta

→ Protein

02 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
03 - 6 slices bacon, chopped

→ Sauce

04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - Salt, to taste
06 - Black pepper, to taste
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 240ml heavy cream
09 - 120ml whole milk
10 - 28g ranch seasoning mix (1 packet)
11 - 100g shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 50g grated parmesan cheese

→ Garnish

13 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then cook for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - Add chopped bacon to the same skillet. Cook until bacon is crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels, and reserve 1 to 2 tablespoons bacon fat in the pan.
04 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn.
05 - Pour in heavy cream and whole milk. Stir in ranch seasoning mix and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the sauce to slightly thicken.
06 - Reduce heat to low and add shredded cheddar and grated parmesan cheese. Stir until both cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
07 - Return cooked chicken and bacon to the skillet. Add drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat in sauce and heat through.
08 - Top with freshly chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot.

# Notes & Tips:

01 - To bake, transfer mixture to a casserole dish, top with additional cheese, and bake at 190°C for 10 to 15 minutes until bubbly.
02 - Leftovers can be reheated with a splash of milk to restore creamy texture.
03 - Rotisserie chicken may be substituted for freshly cooked chicken to save preparation time.

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