If you like Ranch Dressing, you will probably love this pasta! It's definitely different from your standard pastas that typically involve tomato sauce or cream, garlic and Italian herbs. Not that I have anything against those- I love a good Italian pasta! But every now and then it's good to break away from the mold and try out something new, and this was very, very good!
Penne pasta, sliced chicken breast, and crispy Bacon topped with a creamy Ranch sauce, this is one even the kids will love!
Cheesy Ranch Chicken and Bacon Pasta
Ingredients:
1 large chicken breast, about 1.5 lbs*
5 strips thick sliced bacon
1 TBSP Ranch Dressing Mix (from a packet)
8 oz Penne Pasta
1 cup cream
4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
salt and pepper
Directions:
In a large frying pan, cook bacon until crisp. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels to let cool, then break into pieces. If needed, drain some of the bacon grease, reserving about 2 TBSP. Slice the chicken breast in half and season with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the pan with the reserved bacon greasae, and cook over medium/high heat for about 5 min per side or until internal temp. reaches 165 degrees. Remove from pan and set aside to cool for 5 min. Once cool, thinly slice.
Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions to al Dente. Drain pasta, but reserve 1 cup of the pasta water.
In the pan the chicken was cooked in, add cream. Once the cream is hot add in the cream cheese. It helps to cube it up. Whisk until sauce is smooth, then add in the pasta water and Ranch Dressing Mix. Whisk to combine again then add the shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
To the sauce, add the penne noodles, sliced chicken, and bacon crumbles. Stir gently to combine. Sprinkle with dried parsley if desired.
*pre-cooked chicken can also be used. Cube or shred about 2 cups worth.
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