Description
A comforting, one-pan pasta dish featuring crispy bacon, tender chicken, and a rich ranch-cheddar sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 strips bacon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups uncooked rotini pasta
- 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 in a skillet over low heat until crisp. Transfer to a plate to drain and cool, reserving drippings.
- Slice chicken breasts, season, and sear in bacon drippings over medium-high heat until cooked. Let rest and cube.
- Boil rotini pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain.
- In the skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic. Add flour to make a roux, then gradually whisk in the half-and-half. Stir in ranch seasoning and cheese until smooth.
- Toss pasta with the sauce, add chicken, top with remaining cheese, and let melt. Garnish with bacon before serving.
Notes
For a lighter option, swap half-and-half for whole milk and adjust cheese accordingly. For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and flour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: pasta, chicken, bacon, ranch, creamy, quick dinner, one-pan meal