If you’re anything like me, pasta nights are sacred. There’s just something magical about a creamy bowl of goodness that brings comfort with every bite. This Chicken and Bacon Ranch-Style Pasta is the perfect mix of smoky bacon, tender chicken, and cheesy ranch-style flavor that comes together in one delicious dish. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or sharing with someone special, this recipe makes two generous servings that hit all the right notes cheesy, garlicky, herby, and savory!
It’s also quick and easy, making it ideal for busy weeknights or lazy weekends when you just want something tasty without the fuss. Let’s break it down and get cooking!
Method
1. Boiling the Pasta
To begin, bring a large saucepan of salty water to a boil. Add the 200g of pasta and cook it until it reaches an al dente texture firm but cooked through. This usually takes about 8–10 minutes depending on the type of pasta you’re using. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once cooked, reserve a couple of ladles of the pasta water before draining. You’ll use this starchy water later to help loosen the sauce and bind it all together.
2. Frying the Bacon
While the pasta is boiling, heat a large frying pan over medium heat and spray it with a low-calorie cooking spray. Add the 100g of unsmoked bacon lardons to the pan. Cook them slowly, allowing the fat to render and the bacon to become golden and crispy. Stir frequently to get even crispiness on all sides. Once done, use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon bits and set them aside on a plate lined with paper towels. Leave the flavorful bacon oil in the pan this will be used to cook the chicken and infuse extra depth into the dish.
3. Cooking the Chicken
In the same pan with the leftover bacon oil, add your 210g of diced chicken breast. Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon each of parsley, chives, dill, and garlic powder. Cook the chicken over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is golden on the outside and fully cooked through on the inside. This should take around 7–8 minutes. Make sure all pieces are evenly cooked with no pink in the center.
4. Making the Creamy Sauce
Once the chicken is cooked, reduce the heat to low and stir in 70ml of semi-skimmed milk, 75g of light garlic & herb cream cheese, 1 heaped teaspoon of Dijon mustard, and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Stir slowly and continuously to help everything melt and combine into a smooth, creamy sauce. This part takes patience make sure the cream cheese is fully melted and blended before continuing. Then, add 20g of 50% reduced-fat cheese and stir until the sauce thickens slightly. It should coat the back of your spoon without being too heavy.
5. Bringing It All Together
Now, add the drained pasta into the pan with the creamy chicken mixture. Sprinkle in half of the crispy bacon you set aside earlier and the 20g of mozzarella cheese mix. Stir everything together gently. At this stage, add one to two ladles of the reserved pasta water just enough to loosen the sauce to your desired consistency. The starch in the pasta water helps the sauce cling to the noodles and prevents it from being too thick or sticky.
6. Final Touches and Serving
Continue stirring until everything is well combined and the cheese has melted into the sauce, giving it a rich and luscious finish. Once mixed, portion the pasta into two big bowls. Top each bowl with the remaining bacon bits for extra crunch and a generous sprinkle of fresh chopped chives to brighten it all up.
Necessary Tools
- Large frying pan
- Saucepan for pasta
- Slotted spoon
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring spoons
- Ladle
- Mixing bowl (optional for tossing)
Chicken and Bacon Ranch-Style Pasta Creamy, Cheesy, and Full of Flavor!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
servings10
minutes20
minutes30
minutesIngredients
200g pasta
100g unsmoked bacon lardons
210g chicken breast, diced
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp chives
1 tsp dill
1 tsp garlic powder
70ml semi-skimmed milk
1 heaped tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp lemon juice
20g 50% reduced fat cheese
20g mozzarella cheese mix
75g light garlic & herb cream cheese
Extra chives for topping
Salt for boiling pasta
Low-calorie spray for cooking
Directions
- Start by boiling your pasta in a large saucepan filled with salty water. Cook it until al dente.
- While that’s cooking, spray a frying pan with low-calorie spray and fry the bacon lardons until nice and crispy.
- Once crispy, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and keep it aside. Leave the flavorful oil in the pan!
- In the same pan, toss in your diced chicken. Season it with parsley, chives, dill, and garlic powder. Cook until the chicken is fully done.
- Now stir in the milk, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Mix until everything is creamy and blended.
- Add the reduced-fat cheese and stir until the sauce thickens up.
- Pour in the cooked pasta, half of your bacon, and the mozzarella cheese mix. Add a ladle or two of the pasta water to loosen up the sauce and help it coat every piece of pasta.
- Mix well until it’s all combined and creamy. Serve in bowls and top with the rest of the bacon bits and a sprinkle of fresh chives.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the pasta; it’ll keep cooking a bit when you mix it into the sauce.
- When frying the bacon, keep an eye on the heat so it doesn’t burn and get bitter.
- Make sure your cream cheese melts fully before adding the cheeses; this helps everything blend smoothly.
- Add pasta water gradually so your sauce doesn’t get too watery.
Serving Suggestions
This pasta is great on its own, but you can serve it with
- Garlic bread for extra indulgence
- A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette
- Steamed broccoli or green beans for a pop of color and crunch
- A glass of cold sparkling water with lemon for a refreshing touch
Fun Fact
Did you know ranch seasoning actually got its name from a real place? It was created on a ranch in California in the 1950s. Now it’s a flavor we all know and love from salad dressings to pasta sauces like this one!
Conclusion
And there you have it a creamy, cheesy, ranch-style pasta dish that’s sure to become a weeknight favorite. It’s comforting, filling, and packed with bold flavor in every bite. Whether you’re whipping this up for dinner after a long day or sharing it with a loved one, it’s guaranteed to please. So go ahead, dig in, and don’t forget the extra sprinkle of chives on top!
