Description
How to make creamy chicken bacon ranch pasta with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and rich ranch sauce that creates the ultimate comfort food dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Creamy Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup butter
Flavor Builders
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas
Finishing Touches
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside, leaving fat in pan.
- Sear Chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then cook in the bacon fat until golden and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Build Base: Add olive oil to the same pan, then sauté onion until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Create Sauce: Reduce heat to low, add butter, cream cheese, and ranch packet. Whisk until smooth, then slowly add cream and broth, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
- Combine Everything: Add cooked pasta, chicken, bacon, sun-dried tomatoes, and peas to the sauce. Toss gently, adding pasta water if needed for perfect consistency.
- Finish Dish: Remove from heat, stir in Parmesan cheese and fresh chives. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving immediately while hot.
Notes
- Don’t add cream too quickly or the sauce will separate and become lumpy.
- Reserve pasta water before draining – it’s essential for perfect sauce consistency.
- Remove from heat before adding Parmesan to prevent stringy cheese.
- Store leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently with a splash of broth or milk to restore creamy texture.
- Toast the ranch packet in dry pan for 30 seconds to intensify flavors.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 32g