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Creamy Chicken Beef Bacon Ranch Pasta – The Ultimate Comfort Food!

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Elevate weeknight dinners! This recipe uses two-stage cooking—crisping the beef beef bacon, then searing chicken in the residual grease—building unmatched depth.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound penne or rotini pasta
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
  • 8 slices beef beef bacon, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 packet (1 oz) Ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cook the pasta and beef bacon. Cook the pasta according to package directions, reserving 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Simultaneously, cook the chopped beef beef bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy; remove the beef bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, reserving 1 tablespoon of the rendered beef bacon grease in the skillet.
  2. Step 2: Sear the chicken. Season the diced chicken liberally with salt and pepper. Add the olive oil to the skillet with the reserved beef bacon grease and heat over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until fully browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Build the creamy ranch base. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Pour in the heavy cream and reserved pasta water, then whisk in the entire packet of Ranch seasoning mix. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for 2 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
  4. Step 4: Finish the sauce. Stir the grated Parmesan cheese into the simmering cream sauce until smooth and fully melted. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if necessary. If the sauce is too thick, add small splashes of additional water or cream until desired consistency is reached.
  5. Step 5: Combine and serve. Return the cooked chicken and the crispy beef beef bacon pieces (reserving a pinch for garnish) to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss thoroughly to coat every piece. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining beef beef bacon.

Notes

  • For optimal storage, cool leftovers quickly and seal them in an airtight container; when refrigerated, the sauce will thicken considerably, so plan to add a splash of milk or chicken broth upon reheating.
  • Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, and add a tablespoon or two of cream or water to revive the sauce texture and prevent the Parmesan from becoming oily.
  • Serve this rich pasta alongside a simple, crisp green salad tossed with a bright vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the cream and beef bacon.
  • Don't skip reserving the turkey bacon grease or the starchy pasta water; the grease delivers deep, savory flavor to the chicken sear, and the starchy water is essential for creating the perfect, emulsified creamy sauce base.
  • Author: alanya
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.75 cups (approx. 450g)
  • Calories: 1060
  • Sodium: 1850mg
  • Fat: 75g
  • Saturated Fat: 32g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Protein: 6g

Find it online: https://yummyplatess.com/creamy-chicken-beef-bacon-ranch-pasta-the-ultimate-comfort-food/