Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Ingredients List
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3 ¾ cups uncooked rotini pasta
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4 thick-cut bacon slices
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1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
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1 tablespoon dry ranch dressing mix
Ranch Sauce:
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2 tablespoons butter
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2 tablespoons flour
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1 ½ cups 2% milk
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½ cup reserved pasta water (Optional)
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1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
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5 teaspoons dry ranch dressing mix
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1 pinch salt
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1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (Optional)
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini in the boiling water until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
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While the pasta cooks, add bacon to a large skillet and fry over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until crispy and golden, about 10 minutes. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels. Leave the rendered bacon grease in the pan.
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Season chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning. Add them to the skillet with the bacon grease and cook until golden brown, about 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
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Discard any leftover bits from the skillet. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat, then whisk in the flour until it thickens, about 2 minutes. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking until smooth. If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in the reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
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Stir in the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add the remaining 5 teaspoons of ranch seasoning and season with salt. Stir until everything is well mixed. Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat everything in the sauce.
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Chop the crispy bacon into pieces and stir it into the pasta. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| 606 | Calories |
| 31g | Fat |
| 47g | Carbs |
| 32g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings Per Recipe 6 | |
| Calories 606 | |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Total Fat 31g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat 16g | 78% |
| Cholesterol 117mg | 39% |
| Sodium 670mg | 29% |
| Total Carbohydrate 47g | 17% |
| Dietary Fiber 2g | 6% |
| Protein 32g | 65% |
| Potassium 518mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
Evaluation :
5/5