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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

American · Dinner · Easy

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Total
40 min
Prep
15 min
Serves
4
Calories
680
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Chicken, crisp bacon and short pasta meet in a creamy cheddar sauce seasoned with dill, parsley and garlic.

A homemade herb mixture gives Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta its familiar tang without a seasoning packet. Sour cream goes in after the heat is turned off, and the bacon returns at the table so it keeps some crunch.

Cut the chicken into even bite-size pieces and grate the cheddar yourself. Reserve pasta water before draining; it loosens the cheese sauce more smoothly than adding extra oil or butter.

CreamyHerbyWeeknightComfort FoodNut-freeEgg-freeHigh-protein

Method

  1. Boil a pot of water with 1/4 tsp salt and cook the penne for or the package time until tender. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain.

  2. Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for until crisp. Lift it onto a plate, leaving 1 tbsp rendered fat in the pan.

  3. Season the chicken breasts with the remaining salt and black pepper. Cook in the bacon fat over medium-high heat for , turning the pieces until browned and 165°F inside.

  4. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, dill, parsley, milk and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Simmer gently over medium-low heat for .

  5. Fold in the penne and warm for . Turn off the heat, stir in the cheddar and sour cream until smooth, and loosen with more pasta water if needed. Scatter the bacon over each portion.

Forkue tips

  • Stir the sour cream thoroughly before adding it so it blends quickly into the warm pasta without leaving white streaks.

Storing and reheating

Refrigerate for 3 days, keeping any extra bacon separate. Reheat gently with milk or water, and add the bacon after warming to preserve its texture.

Kitchen gear

SaucepanTop picks on AmazonLarge skilletTop picks on AmazonInstant read thermometerTop picks on Amazon
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Nutrition per serving, estimated

680Calories
46gProtein
60gCarbs
28gFat

Image: AI-generated picture of the finished dish, made by Forkue. Yours will look like home cooking.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta: FAQ

Can I use bottled ranch dressing?

It is not a direct replacement for the herbs and sour cream here. Bottled dressings vary in sweetness and oil content and can separate in a hot sauce.

Can I use cooked chicken?

Yes. Add about 2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken when the milk goes in, and heat it through to 165°F before adding the pasta and cheese.

How do I store and reheat Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta?

Refrigerate for 3 days, keeping any extra bacon separate. Reheat gently with milk or water, and add the bacon after warming to preserve its texture.

How long does Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta take?

About 40 min in total: 15 min prep and 25 min cooking.

What do I need to make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta?

The key ingredients are penne, chicken breasts, bacon, garlic powder, onion powder and dried dill, plus pantry basics.

Any tips for Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta?

Stir the sour cream thoroughly before adding it so it blends quickly into the warm pasta without leaving white streaks.

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