Save A creamy flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken crispy bacon and a homemade ranch-infused sauce tossed with penne. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
The first time I made this for my family it instantly became a weeknight staple. The combination of crispy bacon ranch flavors and creamy sauce got rave reviews from everyone at the table.
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Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: about 400 g cut into bite-sized pieces
- Bacon: 6 slices chopped
- Penne pasta: 350 g
- Onion: 1 small finely chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves minced
- Heavy cream: 200 ml
- Whole milk: 120 ml
- Cream cheese: 60 g softened
- Parmesan cheese: 70 g grated divided
- Dried parsley: 1 tsp
- Dried dill: 1 tsp
- Dried chives: 1 tsp
- Garlic powder: ยฝ tsp
- Onion powder: ยฝ tsp
- Salt: ยฝ tsp plus to taste
- Ground black pepper: ยผ tsp
- Chopped fresh parsley: 2 tbsp optional for garnish
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Instructions
- Cook pasta:
- Cook penne in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ยฝ cup of pasta water drain and set aside.
- Cook bacon:
- In a large skillet over medium heat cook bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Discard excess fat leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
- Cook chicken:
- Add chicken to skillet season with salt and pepper and cook 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Sautรฉ vegetables:
- Add onion to skillet and cook 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make sauce:
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add cream cheese heavy cream and milk stirring until smooth and combined.
- Add seasoning and cheese:
- Stir in dried parsley dill chives garlic powder onion powder salt pepper and half the Parmesan until creamy.
- Combine pasta chicken and bacon:
- Add cooked pasta chicken and bacon to skillet. Toss to coat with sauce adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Finish and serve:
- Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and optional chopped parsley. Serve hot.
Save This is a pasta dish my kids request again and again especially on chilly nights when we all want something hearty and comforting after a long day.
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Serving Suggestions
Pair this rich pasta with a fresh green salad and a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc for a balanced meal.
Make It Your Own
Feel free to add steamed broccoli or fresh spinach to sneak in extra vegetables or use half-and-half for a lighter version.
Nutrition & Allergens
Each serving contains about 690 calories with 37 g fat 53 g carbs and 34 g protein. The dish is not gluten-free and includes dairy and pork ingredients.
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Try this ranch chicken and bacon penne for your next comfort food craving and watch it become a new family favorite.
Recipe FAQ
- โ How can I make the sauce creamier?
Adding a bit more cream cheese or reserved pasta water while stirring gently helps achieve a smoother, creamier sauce.
- โ Can I substitute the bacon with another meat?
Turkey bacon or pancetta can be used as alternatives to maintain the savory, smoky flavor profile.
- โ What pasta is best for this dish?
Penne works well as its tube shape holds the creamy sauce, but rigatoni or ziti can be great substitutes.
- โ How do dried herbs affect the flavor?
Dried parsley, dill, and chives provide concentrated herbal notes that blend into the sauce, complementing the creamy base.
- โ Can I prepare this meal ahead of time?
You can cook components ahead but combine and reheat just before serving to preserve texture and flavor.
