Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
This creamy, hearty, and zesty chicken bacon ranch pasta dish is loaded with a classic combination of tender pasta, chicken, and bacon in a cheesy cream sauce!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken , chopped
- 2 cups uncooked rotini pasta
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoons flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 ½ Tablespoon dry ranch dressing powder
- ½ cup cheddar cheese , shredded
- 6 pieces bacon , cut into small pieces
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Boil the pasta: Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain completely when done cooking.
- Sauté bacon: Meanwhile, sauté the 6 pieces chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium-low heat until crispy and well cooked. Move bacon from pan to a paper towel with a slotted spoon to drain grease. Reserve about 1 Tablespoon bacon grease in the pan.
- Cook sauce: Melt 1 Tablespoon butter in the skillet with the bacon grease. Over medium heat, sauté 1 Tablespoon minced garlic for about 1 minute. Add 2 Tablespoons flour and stir until it thickens, about 1 minute.
- Temper milk: Heat 2 cups whole milk in the microwave for 30 seconds, just enough to warm it up a bit. Slowly add it to the skillet while stirring. Cook the sauce until it is just gently boiling, stirring constantly. Add 1 1/2 Tablespoon ranch dressing powder and stir well. Follow with 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and stir.
- Add pasta, bacon, and chicken: Stir pasta, bacon and chicken into the sauce and serve!
Notes
Cook your own chicken: Chop up 2 small chicken breasts. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and some salt and pepper. Sear chicken in skillet with 1 Tablespoon oil over medium high heat until cooked through.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. I don't recommend freezing.
Nutrition
Calories: 437kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 32g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 114mg, Sodium: 1003mg, Potassium: 227mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 293IU, Vitamin C: 0.4mg, Calcium: 176mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
