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Chicken bacon ranch pasta with cheddar sauce, chicken pieces, and bacon in a creamy skillet meal

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Skillet Dinner with Cheddar Sauce

Chicken bacon ranch pasta skillet dinner is a creamy, comforting meal with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich cheddar ranch sauce. It is an easy weeknight pasta dish with hearty flavors everyone can enjoy.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 750
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Bacon
  • 6 strips bacon
  • Salt and pepper, as needed
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
Pasta and Cheddar Ranch Sauce
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 cups uncooked rotini pasta
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 cups half and half
  • 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over low heat until crisp. Transfer it aside, keep the bacon drippings in the skillet, then chop the cooled bacon.
  2. Slice the chicken breasts into thinner pieces and season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
Cooking
  1. Sear the seasoned chicken in the reserved bacon drippings over medium-high heat until browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C. Let the chicken rest, then cut it into cubes.
  2. Boil the rotini pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain.
  3. Melt the butter in the skillet, cook the minced garlic briefly, add the flour, and slowly whisk in the half and half to form a smooth sauce.
  4. Mix the ranch seasoning and shredded cheddar cheese into the sauce until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
  5. Stir the cooked rotini into the cheddar ranch sauce, add the chicken, and finish with the chopped bacon before serving.

Notes

Cook the pasta only until al dente, as it will soften slightly more when mixed with the sauce.