Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta
Chicken, bacon, and ranch are a favorite culinary treat. Look for Ranch Dressing without MSG - or better yet, make your own.
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Ingredients:
| 1 pound | , mostaccioli or other short pasta |
| 6 strips | bacon, diced |
| 1 tablespoon | butter |
| 2 | boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into bite sized pieces |
| 2 tablespoons | flour |
| 1 packet | ranch salad dressing mix or 2 Tbsp. homemade |
| 2 cups | milk |
| 1 cup | shredded Cheddar cheese |
| salt & pepper , , to taste | |
| green onion, sliced (optional) |
Directions:
1. Cook pasta according to package directions in boiling salted water; drain, return to pot, and keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Drain all but one tablespoon of bacon drippings from the pan.
3. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the butter to the reserved bacon drippings, then add the chicken to the same skillet. Cook until tender, no longer pink, and slightly browned.
4. Sprinkle the flour and ranch dressing mix over the chicken, stirring to coat evenly. Stir in the milk, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and bubbly. Stir in the cheddar cheese and half of the reserved bacon; cook and stir until the cheese is melted. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
5. Divide pasta and arrange on 4 plates. Top with cheese sauce. Serve each plate of pasta with more bacon sprinkled over the top. Green onions would also be a delicious topping.
Source: halfhourmeals.com
