If chicken, bacon, and ranch are in the name, then you can almost guarantee your dish is going to be a hit. Well, Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta adds a fourth ingredient to the beloved trio to confidently promise that every bite will be a smash. And it includes everything you hoped it would like: juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and bouncy pasta, all coated in a tangy ranch seasoned roux. Sounds like a match (or matches) made in flavor heaven, right? We think so. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a delicious and fanciful choice for any night!
Ingredients
- 13.3 ounces pasta, of your choice
- 3 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 3/4 cup cream
Directions
Step 1 –Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta.
Step 2 –Cook the pasta to al dente according to the package instructions.
Step 3 –Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
Step 4 –While the pasta cooks, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 5 –Transfer the cooked bacon from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set it on a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
Step 6 –In the same skillet, cook the onion in the bacon grease until softened, about 5 minutes.
Step 7 –Add the chicken to the cooked onion and cook until an instant thermometer inserted in the center reads 165 degrees F, about 5-8 minutes.
Step 8 –Add the dry ranch seasoning, the garlic, the salt, and the pepper to the cooked chicken and cook, about 1 minute.
Step 9 –Stir the flour into the chicken mixture and cook until it is thoroughly blended and no white remains.
Step 10 –Lower the temperature to medium heat.
Step 11 –Add the chicken broth and the cream to the chicken mixture, cooking and stirring until thickened.
Step 12 –Add the cooked pasta and the cooked bacon to the chicken mixture.
Step 13 –Add the reserved pasta water, as much as needed to ensure the sauce comes together.
Step 14 –Toss the chicken and pasta mixture until thoroughly combined.
Step 15 –Serve.
