Description
This crack chicken pasta recipe combines tender cooked chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch cheese sauce tossed with penne pasta for a comforting and flavorful dish ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that’s both hearty and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Protein
- â…“ cup cooked chopped bacon
- 2 cups cooked chopped chicken
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot, bring water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package directions. Once al dente, drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Make Roux: In the same pot, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour and stir constantly, cooking the flour for about 1 minute to form a roux.
- Add Milk and Thicken Sauce: Slowly whisk in 2 cups of milk to the roux. Continue cooking and whisking until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.
- Incorporate Flavors: Stir in 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing mix and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the thickened sauce. Stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked chopped chicken, cooked chopped bacon, and the drained pasta back into the pot with the sauce. Stir everything thoroughly to fully coat the pasta with the creamy ranch chicken mixture.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is added slowly to prevent lumps in the sauce.
- You can use rotisserie chicken to save time for the cooked chicken.
- Bacon can be cooked in advance or replaced with turkey bacon for a lighter option.
- For extra flavor, garnish with chopped green onions or parsley.
- This dish reheats well and is great for meal prep.
