Save A creamy flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken crispy bacon and a homemade ranchinfused sauce tossed with penne. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
I first made this pasta on a chilly evening and was amazed at how the combination of homemade ranch seasoning and crisp bacon transformed the sauce. Everyone kept coming back for seconds!
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: 2 large (about 400 g) cut into bitesize 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
- Dried parsley: 1 tsp
- Dried dill: 1 tsp
- Dried chives: 1 tsp
- Garlic powder: 12 tsp
- Onion powder: 12 tsp
- Salt: 12 tsp
- Ground black pepper: 14 tsp
- Fresh parsley: 2 tbsp chopped optional
Instructions
- Cook the pasta:
- Cook penne in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 12 cup pasta water then drain and set aside.
- Cook the bacon:
- In a large skillet over medium heat cook bacon until crispy. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Discard excess bacon fat leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
- Cook the chicken:
- Add chicken to skillet. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook 57 minutes until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Saute onion and garlic:
- In the same skillet add chopped onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make the sauce:
- Reduce heat to mediumlow. Add cream cheese heavy cream and milk stirring until smooth and combined.
- Add ranch seasoning and cheese:
- Stir in dried parsley dill chives garlic powder onion powder salt pepper and half of the Parmesan cheese until sauce is creamy.
- Combine pasta chicken bacon:
- Add cooked pasta chicken and bacon to skillet. Toss to coat in sauce adding reserved pasta water to adjust consistency if needed.
- Finish and serve:
- Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and chopped parsley. Serve hot.
Save My kids always ask for this dish at family gatherings and there are usually no leftovers. It is a comforting meal that brings everyone around the table smiling.
Serving Suggestions
This pasta pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Add roasted vegetables or garlic bread on the side for a cozy feast.
How to Make it Lighter
Swap the heavy cream for halfandhalf or use reducedfat cream cheese to reduce calories. Extra vegetables like steamed broccoli or spinach add nutrients and color.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.
Save Give this easy pasta a try next week for guaranteed smiles. Every bite is creamy savory and packed with comforting ranch flavor.
Cooking Questions
- → How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?
Cook chicken over medium heat just until golden and fully cooked, avoiding overcooking. Cutting into bite-sized pieces ensures even cooking.
- → Can I use a different pasta shape?
Yes, penne works well to hold the creamy sauce, but rigatoni or fusilli can also complement the textures and flavors nicely.
- → What can I substitute for cream cheese?
For a lighter option, use half-and-half or mascarpone to maintain creaminess without altering flavor balance significantly.
- → How can I add more vegetables?
Steamed broccoli or fresh spinach stirred in at the end add nutrition and color without changing the dish’s character.
- → Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes, cook all components separately and combine just before serving to preserve texture and freshness.