Description
This Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a creamy, dreamy dish loaded with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and zesty ranch flavor, perfect for a quick and satisfying lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) penne pasta
- Salt (for boiling water)
- 1 cup (240 ml) ranch dressing
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (150 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp (5 g) garlic powder
- 1 tsp (5 g) onion powder
- 1/2 tsp (2 g) black pepper
- 2 cups (300 g) cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Chopped green onions (optional)
- Extra cheese for topping (optional)
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the ranch dressing and heavy cream. Stir until well mixed and let it heat for about 2-3 minutes, but don’t let it boil.
- Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Keep stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Fold in the cooked chicken and crumbled bacon into the sauce. Mix well to coat everything evenly.
- Finally, add the cooked pasta to the skillet and gently toss until all the pasta is coated in the creamy sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, just to heat everything through.
Notes
For a lighter option, you can use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream or opt for whole wheat pasta for added fiber.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Fat: 30
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Protein: 35
Keywords: chicken, bacon, ranch, pasta, easy recipe, comfort food