Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
A cozy and creamy pasta dish featuring rotisserie chicken, crisp bacon, and a rich ranch-flavored sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta and Protein
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, rotini, or cavatappi) Any short pasta holds the sauce beautifully.
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed Rotisserie is perfect for speed!
- 6 slices bacon, chopped and cooked until crisp Turkey bacon works, or omit for a vegetarian twist and add mushrooms.
Sauces and Dairy
- 1 cup sour cream Use Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
- 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk Heavy cream makes it richer; milk keeps it lighter.
- 1 ounce ranch seasoning mix Store-bought or homemade.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Swap for mozzarella for a gooey layer.
- 1/2 cup Parmesan, grated
Flavors and Seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced As the garlic sizzles, it perfumes the whole recipe.
- 2 tablespoons butter Can replace with olive oil.
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh chives or parsley, chopped For garnish, optional.
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
Making the Sauce
- While the pasta cooks, crisp the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Transfer bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate, leaving 1 tablespoon of bacon fat in the pan.
- Add butter to the skillet with the bacon fat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the heavy cream and sour cream, whisking until smooth. Stir in the ranch seasoning, and simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar and Parmesan until melted and creamy. If too thick, loosen with reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time.
- Add the cooked chicken and most of the crispy bacon to the sauce, saving a little bacon for garnish. Fold in the drained pasta until coated. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
Serving
- Serve hot, sprinkled with chives or parsley, and the remaining bacon for crunch.
Notes
This meal is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for weeknight dinners. It can be customized with different pasta shapes and protein options.