Save A creamy flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken crispy bacon and a homemade ranch-infused sauce tossed with penne. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
I first made this ranch chicken & bacon penne on a chilly evening with friends and everyone went back for seconds. It is a house favorite when craving hearty pasta.
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: 2 large (about 400 g) cut into bite-sized 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: ½ tsp
- Onion powder: ½ tsp
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Ground black pepper: ¼ tsp
- Fresh parsley: 2 tbsp chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta:
- Cook penne in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water then drain and set aside.
- Crisp Bacon:
- In a large skillet over medium heat cook bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Keep about 1 tablespoon bacon fat in pan.
- Sauté Chicken:
- Add chicken pieces to skillet. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 (7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Cook Aromatics:
- In the same skillet add chopped onion and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make Sauce:
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add cream cheese heavy cream and milk stirring until smooth and combined.
- Add Ranch & Cheese:
- Stir in ranch seasoning (parsley dill chives garlic powder onion powder salt pepper) and half of Parmesan cheese until sauce is creamy.
- Combine:
- Add cooked pasta chicken and bacon to skillet. Toss to coat everything in sauce adding reserved pasta water as needed.
- Finish & Serve:
- Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and chopped parsley. Serve hot.
Save This ranch chicken & bacon penne was an instant hit at our last family dinner. It is requested on special occasions now especially by my niece who loves bacon in anything!
Required Tools
Large pot large skillet slotted spoon knife cutting board measuring cups and spoons for easy cooking.
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (pasta) milk (cream cheese Parmesan) bacon and possibly egg in some pasta brands. Verify labels if serving to those with sensitivity.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories 690 total fat 37 g carbohydrates 53 g protein 34 g.
Save Serve this pasta hot and garnish with extra parsley for fresh flavor. Enjoy every creamy bite!
Recipe Guide
- → How can I make the sauce creamier?
Use full-fat cream and cream cheese, and add reserved pasta water gradually while stirring to reach your preferred consistency.
- → Can this dish be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, it holds well for reheating, though fresh parsley garnish is best added just before serving.
- → What are good vegetable additions to pair with this dish?
Steamed broccoli or spinach add a nice fresh contrast and boost the nutritional value.
- → How do I prevent the bacon from getting soggy?
Cook bacon until crisp, drain on paper towels, and add it to the pasta mixture just before serving to maintain texture.
- → Is there a lighter alternative for the creamy sauce?
Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce richness without sacrificing flavor.