25-Min Creamy Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta
Chicken, bacon, and penne tossed in a silky ranch-butter sauce with fresh parmesan — ready in one skillet before your water boils twice. The kind of weeknight dinner that tastes creamy without heavy cream.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 820
- Protein
- 52g
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1.25 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp ranch seasoning mix
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Boil penne in salted water until al dente, ~10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- 2
While pasta cooks, cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high until crispy, ~5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- 3
In the same skillet, cook chicken pieces until no pink remains and edges brown, ~6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 4
Add butter and ranch seasoning to the skillet. Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- 5
Pour in cream and 0.5 cup reserved pasta water. Simmer 1 minute, then add pasta and bacon. Toss gently.
- 6
Remove from heat. Stir in parmesan until melted. Garnish with chives and serve immediately.
Tools you’ll need
- large skillet (12-inch)
- pot for pasta
- wooden spoon
- tongs
- colander
- measuring cups and spoons
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