Chicken Bacon Ranch Penne Pasta
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Penne Pasta is a creamy, cheesy, and flavor-packed dish that combines smoky bacon, tender chicken, and a rich ranch-infused sauce for the ultimate comfort meal.
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta uncooked
- 2 cups cooked chicken diced or shredded
- 6 slices bacon chopped
- 2 cups broccoli florets optional
For the Sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups milk whole or 2% preferred
- ½ cup heavy cream can substitute more milk
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- ¼ cup ranch dressing
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
For Garnish
- Fresh parsley chopped, optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions. If using broccoli, add it to the boiling water for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.12 oz penne pasta, 2 cups broccoli florets
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet for extra flavor.6 slices bacon
- If you’re using raw chicken, season with salt and pepper, then cook in the same skillet with the bacon grease until fully cooked (about 5-6 minutes per side). Remove and dice or shred. If using pre-cooked chicken, simply dice or shred it and set aside.2 cups cooked chicken
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.2 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Gradually whisk in milk and cream, stirring constantly until smooth and slightly thickened (about 3-4 minutes).1 ½ cups milk, ½ cup heavy cream
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, ranch dressing, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.½ cup parmesan cheese, ¼ cup ranch dressing, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, broccoli (if using), and half of the crumbled bacon to the skillet. Toss everything together until evenly coated in the sauce.
- Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining bacon and fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of milk to keep the sauce from drying out.