Description
A creamy, flavorful pasta dish combining chicken, crispy bacon, and rich cheese, perfect for family dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 strips bacon
- Salt/Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups uncooked pasta (Rotini recommended)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
Instructions
- Cook the bacon: Start by heating a large skillet over low heat. Add the strips of bacon and cook until crisp. Set aside, reserve drippings, and chop after cooling.
- Prepare the chicken: Slice the chicken breasts thinly and season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. In the skillet with drippings, sear until golden and fully cooked. Cube into bite-sized pieces.
- Boil the pasta: In a pot of salted water, cook the pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Melt butter in the skillet and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Stir in flour, then gradually whisk in half and half. Add ranch seasoning and cheese, stirring until smooth.
- Combine everything: Add drained pasta and cubed chicken to the sauce. Toss together and garnish with chopped bacon before serving.
Notes
For extra crunch, use thick-cut bacon. Feel free to experiment with different cheeses and pasta shapes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg