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This hearty pasta dish combines tender chicken, smoky bacon, and a luxurious cheese sauce enriched with ranch seasonings. The ridged penne pasta creates the perfect vehicle for capturing every drop of the silky sauce.
Main Ingredients
- Penne pasta: Ridged variety recommended
- Chicken breasts: Cut into uniform pieces
- Thick-cut bacon: Provides best texture
- Ranch seasoning mix: Use entire packet
- Full-fat cream cheese: Creates smoothest sauce
- Sharp cheddar: Adds rich flavor
- Fresh garlic: Mince just before using
- Yellow onion: Finely diced
Cooking Method
- Cook Pasta
- Boil penne until slightly firm. Save 1 cup pasta water before draining. Rinse with cool water.
- Prepare Bacon
- Cut bacon into small pieces. Cook until crisp in large pot. Remove bacon, reserve 1 tablespoon fat.
- Cook Chicken
- Season diced chicken well. Brown in bacon fat until cooked through. Set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables
- Cook onions until soft. Add garlic briefly until fragrant.
- Make Sauce
- Pour in broth, scraping pan bottom. Blend in softened cream cheese until smooth. Add sour cream and seasonings. Reduce until thickened.
- Combine
- Mix in chicken, bacon, pasta. Add cheddar gradually. Adjust thickness with reserved pasta water.
- Heat Through
- Bring to safe temperature. Allow sauce to thicken slightly.
- Finish
- Top with extra bacon bits and sliced green onions. Serve hot.
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Storage Guidelines
- Keeps for 3 days refrigerated
- Warm with added milk
- Freezes for up to 2 months
- Defrost in refrigerator
Health Benefits
- Good protein source
- Energy-rich carbohydrates
- Important calcium content
- Essential B vitamins
Recipe Variations
- Southwest Style: Include taco spices and peppers
- Mediterranean: Add Italian herbs and tomatoes
- Spicy: Mix in hot sauce and blue cheese
- Garden Style: Include fresh vegetables
Nutrition Overview
- Well-balanced macronutrients
- High calcium content
- B-complex vitamins
- Healthy fat profile
Pairing Options
- Fresh garden salad
- Toasted garlic bread
- Seasonal vegetables
- Artisan bread
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Ideal for busy weeknights and family gatherings, this pasta dish delivers comfort food satisfaction with its rich sauce, tender chicken, and crispy bacon bits.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I try different types of pasta?
- Of course! Other medium shapes like bowtie, spiral (fusilli) pasta, or rotini are great options for this dish.
- → How far in advance can I prep this meal?
- You can store it in the fridge for up to three days in a sealed container. Add a splash of milk to reheat and keep it creamy.
- → Could I swap regular bacon for turkey bacon?
- Yes, turkey bacon is a great lighter option to switch things up.
- → What if I don’t have ranch seasoning?
- You can mix up your own blend using dried parsley, dill, garlic powder, and onion powder as an alternative.
- → Can I freeze leftovers of this dish?
- It’s not ideal since cream sauces don’t hold up well when frozen—they can separate after defrosting.