Description
A comforting dish featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, creamy sauce, and al dente pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 strips bacon
- 2 cups uncooked rotini pasta
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet over low heat, cook the bacon strips until crisp. Set aside and reserve the drippings.
- Slice the chicken breasts, season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning, and sear in the bacon drippings over medium-high heat until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Let chicken rest before cubing.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain.
- Melt the butter in the same skillet, sauté garlic for 30 seconds, then whisk in flour. Gradually add half and half, stirring until smooth. Stir in ranch seasoning and cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
- Add cooked pasta and cubed chicken to the sauce, mixing well. Garnish with chopped bacon.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
For a vegetarian option, swap chicken for turkey or tofu. To enhance the dish, consider adding a side salad, garlic bread, or steamed veggies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: chicken, pasta, bacon, comfort food, quick dinner