Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
A cozy, creamy pasta dish with chicken, crispy bacon, and ranch dressing, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Cooking the Ingredients
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, cook the bacon strips over medium heat until crispy. Remove and crumble the bacon, leaving the drippings in the skillet.
- In the same skillet, add the ranch dressing and heavy cream. Stir well until combined and heat on low for about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the shredded chicken and half of the cheddar cheese. Mix well until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet, stirring to combine all ingredients.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Finally, fold in the crumbled bacon and just before serving, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and chopped green onions on top.
Notes
For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. You may also add vegetables like spinach or broccoli for more nutrition. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.