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Creamy Crack Chicken Pasta Recipe with Crispy Bacon and Ranch Easy

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A quick and comforting creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a tangy ranch cheese sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something hearty and delicious without fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 oz penne pasta or favorite short pasta, cooked al dente
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: chopped parsley or chives for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) of pasta and cook for 9-11 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 6 slices of thick-cut bacon and cook until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, flipping occasionally. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Once cooled, crumble into bite-sized pieces. Do not discard bacon fat.
  3. Using the bacon fat in the skillet, add bite-sized chicken pieces. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 6-7 minutes, turning occasionally until chicken is cooked through and golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium-low. In the same skillet, add 8 oz softened cream cheese and 1 cup whole milk. Stir constantly to melt and combine evenly.
  5. Add ranch seasoning packet, 1 cup shredded cheddar, ½ cup Parmesan, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is smooth and creamy. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
  6. Return cooked chicken and crumbled bacon to skillet. Add drained pasta and toss gently to coat everything in sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  7. Let pasta warm through for 2-3 minutes on low heat to marry flavors. Garnish with chopped parsley or chives if desired before serving.

Notes

Do not rush melting the cream cheese to avoid lumps. Use bacon fat to cook chicken for extra flavor. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Taste before adding extra salt as ranch seasoning can be salty. Leftovers store well in fridge up to 3 days; reheat gently with splash of milk or broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, crack chicken pasta, bacon pasta, ranch pasta, quick dinner, comfort food, easy pasta recipe

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/creamy-crack-chicken-pasta-recipe-with-crispy-bacon-and-ranch-easy/