Save A creamy flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken crispy bacon and a homemade ranchinfused sauce tossed with penne This comforting recipe is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner and is sure to become a family favorite
I made this dish on a rainy evening when everyone was craving something hearty and indulgent The homemade ranch seasoning gives it a fresh twist and the crispy bacon takes it over the top
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: 2 large boneless skinless about 400 g cut into bitesize pieces
- Bacon: 6 slices chopped
- Penne pasta: 350 g
- Onion: 1 small finely chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves minced
- Heavy cream: 200 ml
- Whole milk: 120 ml
- Cream cheese: 60 g softened
- Parmesan cheese: 70 g grated
- Dried parsley: 1 tsp
- Dried dill: 1 tsp
- Dried chives: 1 tsp
- Garlic powder: tsp
- Onion powder: tsp
- Salt: tsp
- Ground black pepper: tsp
- Fresh parsley: 2 tbsp chopped for garnish optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta:
- Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente Reserve cup of pasta water then drain and set aside
- Cook bacon:
- In a large skillet over medium heat cook the bacon until crispy Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels Discard excess bacon fat leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan
- Cook chicken:
- Add the chicken pieces to the skillet Season lightly with salt and pepper Cook for 57 minutes until golden and cooked through Transfer to a plate and set aside
- Saute aromatics:
- In the same skillet add the chopped onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant
- Make cream sauce:
- Reduce heat to mediumlow Add cream cheese heavy cream and milk stirring until smooth and combined
- Add seasoning and cheese:
- Stir in the ranch seasoning parsley dill chives garlic powder onion powder salt pepper and half of the Parmesan cheese until sauce is creamy
- Combine and toss:
- Add cooked pasta chicken and bacon to the skillet Toss to coat everything in the sauce adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency
- Finish and serve:
- Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and chopped parsley Serve hot
Save This pasta dish brings everyone to the table and we always end up laughing sharing stories and going back for seconds It has become a new comfort meal for our family
Serving Suggestions
Pair this creamy pasta with a crisp green salad and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc for a wellrounded meal Garlic bread also makes a delicious accompaniment
Recipe Variations
For a lighter version use halfandhalf instead of heavy cream and add steamed broccoli or spinach for extra vegetables You can also swap penne for your favorite pasta shape
Storing & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days Reheat gently over low heat adding a splash of milk to keep the sauce creamy and smooth
Save Try this delicious pasta next time you need a comforting meal everyone will love Leftovers are just as good the next day
Common Questions
- → What pasta works best for this dish?
Penne pasta is ideal due to its tubular shape that holds the creamy sauce well.
- → Can I substitute the cream cheese?
Yes, you can use mascarpone or Greek yogurt for a slightly different but still creamy texture.
- → Is it necessary to reserve pasta water?
Reserving pasta water helps adjust the sauce consistency, making it smooth and glossy.
- → How can I make this dish lighter?
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce the amount of cheese for fewer calories.
- → What herbs give this sauce its ranch flavor?
Dried parsley, dill, chives, garlic powder, and onion powder combine to create the characteristic ranch flavor.