Good Pasta – Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Recipe

This pasta uses store-bought rotisserie chicken to cut down prep time. You get tender meat without cooking raw poultry from scratch. The sauce comes together while the pasta boils so everything finishes at once.

Crispy bacon adds salt and smoke that balances the creamy ranch base. Most grocery stores sell the dry ranch mix needed here or you can make your own blend. It keeps well in the pantry for months.

About the Ingredients

500g (1 lb) penne rigate pasta

Use short tubes like penne or rigatoni so they hold the thick sauce. Avoid long strands since they do not coat well with this mixture.

250g (8 oz) smoked bacon lardons

Buy pre-cut pieces to save chopping time. Regular chopped bacon works fine but you must crisp it yourself first.

450g (1 lb) rotisserie chicken breast meat

Pick up a whole bird and shred the white meat only. Dark meat gets stringy in this dish so stick to breast.

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

This thickens the milk into a gravy texture. If you are gluten free swap it for cornstarch mixed with water.

600ml (2 1/2 cups) whole milk

Full fat milk gives a richer mouthfeel than skim. Skim will work but the sauce may look thin.

1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch dressing mix

You find this near the spices in most supermarkets. Make your own by mixing garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill and parsley if you cannot find it.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Boil the pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions then drain and set aside.

2. Crisp the bacon

Heat a deep skillet over medium heat. Cook the bacon until crispy then remove with a slotted spoon leaving the fat behind.

3. Make the roux

Sprinkle the flour into the hot bacon fat. Whisk constantly for one minute until it bubbles and smells nutty.

4. Add the milk

Pour in the cold milk slowly while whisking. Simmer gently for three minutes until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.

5. Stir in seasoning

Remove the pan from heat and stir in the ranch powder. Mix until fully dissolved and no clumps remain.

6. Combine ingredients

Return the cooked pasta and shredded chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together until coated evenly.

7. Finish the dish

Stir the crispy bacon back into the pasta. Serve immediately while the cheese is still melting.

Delicious Variations

• Swap the chicken for sliced grilled sausage for a spicier kick.
• Mix in steamed broccoli florets to add green vegetables.
• Use cream cheese instead of milk for an extra rich version.

How to Store Good Pasta

Frequently Asked Questions

This recipe feeds a crowd for less than five dollars per person. Gather the ingredients and start the pot of water now.

Good Pasta

Good Pasta is a creamy chicken bacon ranch dish ready in under an hour. Tender rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon and a simple ranch sauce make this easy weeknight dinner.

15 minPrep time35 minCook time6Servings285 kcalCalories

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🧂 Ingredients

• 500g (1 lb) penne rigate pasta
• 250g (8 oz) smoked bacon lardons
• 450g (1 lb) rotisserie chicken breast meat
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 600ml (2 1/2 cups) whole milk
• 1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch dressing mix

📋 Instructions

1. 1Boil the pasta — Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions then drain and set aside.
2. 2Crisp the bacon — Heat a deep skillet over medium heat. Cook the bacon until crispy then remove with a slotted spoon leaving the fat behind.
3. 3Make the roux — Sprinkle the flour into the hot bacon fat. Whisk constantly for one minute until it bubbles and smells nutty.
4. 4Add the milk — Pour in the cold milk slowly while whisking. Simmer gently for three minutes until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
5. 5Stir in seasoning — Remove the pan from heat and stir in the ranch powder. Mix until fully dissolved and no clumps remain.
6. 6Combine ingredients — Return the cooked pasta and shredded chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together until coated evenly.
7. 7Finish the dish — Stir the crispy bacon back into the pasta. Serve immediately while the cheese is still melting.

👨🍳 Chef's Note: Always check the expiration date on the ranch mix packet before buying. A fresh packet tastes much brighter than an old one.

Servings: 6

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Course

Simple Cooker Recipes50 minutes

Nutrition (per serving): 285 kcal · 12g protein · 22g carbs · 9g fat