Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (Printer-Friendly)

Creamy pasta loaded with juicy chicken, smoky bacon, cheddar, and ranch. Comfort food perfect for dinner.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Pasta and Proteins

01 - 2 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 6 slices thick-cut bacon
03 - 2 cups uncooked rotini or penne pasta

→ Dairy and Cheese

04 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
05 - 1 cup half and half
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Seasonings

07 - 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
08 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
10 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus extra for pasta water
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Sauce Base

12 - 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
13 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Arrange bacon slices in a large skillet and cook over low heat until rendered and crisp, turning occasionally. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve drippings in the pan.
02 - Slice the chicken breasts horizontally into evenly thin pieces. Season all sides with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Increase skillet to medium-high heat and sear chicken in reserved bacon drippings until golden and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from pan and tent with foil.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until aromatic. Sprinkle in flour, whisking constantly to create a pale roux. Gradually add half and half while whisking, cooking until slightly thickened. Reduce heat to low.
05 - Stir ranch seasoning mix and shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce base. Whisk until cheese is fully melted and sauce is smooth.
06 - Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to evenly coat with sauce. Return sliced chicken and crumble bacon over the pasta. Gently fold together until well combined and heated through.

# Additional Suggestions:

01 - Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much before serving.
02 - For a lighter version, substitute turkey bacon; adjust cooking time to prevent burning due to lower fat content.
03 - Custom ranch seasoning can be made from dried dill, parsley, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper as a substitute.

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