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Delicious Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe: A Cheesy and Creamy Delight

Quick Summary

This blog post explores the mouthwatering world of Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pasta. It covers both stovetop and crockpot recipes, providing step-by-step instructions and helpful tips from various sources. The post also includes suggestions for serving, make-ahead options, and storage instructions, making it a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to indulge in this cheesy and creamy pasta dish.

Introduction

Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pasta is a mouthwatering dish that combines the savory flavors of chicken, bacon, ranch seasoning, and pasta. This delectable recipe offers a delightful blend of creamy textures with crispy bits of bacon throughout. Whether you prefer cooking on the stovetop or using your trusty crockpot, there are various ways to prepare this scrumptious meal.

The combination of tender chicken pieces coated in flavorful ranch seasoning along with smoky strips of bacon creates an irresistible taste sensation. The creaminess from the sauce perfectly complements the al dente pasta for a satisfyingly hearty meal.

In addition to its deliciousness, Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pasta provides versatility as it can be prepared either on the stovetop or in a slow cooker (crockpot). Each method has its own unique advantages but guarantees equally tasty results.

So whether you’re looking for comfort food after a long day at work or planning to impress guests at your next gathering, Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pasta is sure to satisfy everyone’s cravings!

Stovetop Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe

If you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal, this stovetop chicken and bacon ranch pasta recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings. Combining the savory flavors of chicken, crispy bacon, creamy ranch seasoning, and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish will become an instant favorite.

To make this mouthwatering recipe from The Cozy Cook or The Recipe Rebel, gather the following key ingredients: chicken breast fillets, bacon strips, dry ranch seasoning mix or homemade ranch dressing mix if preferred, penne pasta or any other type of short-cut pasta that you have on hand.

Preparing the Chicken

Start by preparing the chicken breasts. Season them with salt and pepper before cooking in a skillet over medium heat until they are fully cooked through. Once done, remove them from the pan and let them cool slightly. Then, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Preparing the Bacon

While the chicken cooks, prepare some crispy bacon using either the microwave method mentioned in The Cozy Cook’s post or frying pan method as described in The Recipe Rebel’s blog post. Once the bacon is crisp, crumble it up.

Cooking the Pasta

In another pot, cook your choice of short-cut pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well once ready.

Combining the Ingredients

Now comes the time to bring all these amazing flavors together! In a large saucepan, combine the prepared diced/chopped/shredded seasoned-cooked chicken along with the drained pasta. Add in the desired amount of crumbled crispy bacon bits. Then, sprinkle generous amounts of dry ranch seasoning mix/homemade ranch dressing mix. Stir everything together so that the ingredients get evenly coated with the flavorful seasoning. If you prefer a more saucy consistency, you can add heavy cream instead of half and half as suggested by The Cozy Cook. Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce is heated through and thickened to your liking.

Adding Frozen Vegetables (Optional)

For those who want to add some extra nutrition, consider adding frozen vegetables like peas or broccoli. Simply toss them into the saucepan along with the other ingredients and let them cook until they are tender.

Serving Suggestions

Once everything is well combined and heated through, it’s time to serve this delectable stovetop chicken and bacon ranch pasta dish. Consider serving it alongside garlic bread for a complete meal experience. Alternatively, you can pair it with a fresh side salad for added freshness.

This recipe offers versatility as well – feel free to experiment by using different types of pasta or adjusting the amount of seasoning according to your taste preferences. Enjoy every bite of this creamy, flavorful creation that will surely become one of your go-to recipes!

Heading: Crockpot Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe

If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to make delicious Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pasta, then the crockpot version is perfect for you. This recipe allows all the flavors to meld together while requiring minimal effort on your part. Let’s dive into this mouthwatering dish!

The key ingredients needed for this recipe are:

  • Chicken
  • Bacon
  • Ranch seasoning
  • Pasta

These simple yet flavorful components come together beautifully in the slow cooker.

To start off with preparing this delectable meal:

  1. Begin by cooking the bacon until it becomes crispy using your preferred method.
  2. While that’s happening, cut boneless skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a bowl or ziplock baggie (for easy cleanup), toss the chicken pieces with ranch seasoning until they are well coated.

Now comes time to assemble everything in your trusty crockpot:

  1. Place half of cooked bacon at the bottom of a greased 6-quart slow cooker.
  2. Layer seasoned chicken over the top followed by the remaining cooked chopped up crisp-cooked slices of thick-cut smoked maple flavored Wright Brand® Naturally Smoked Maple Flavored Thick Cut Bacon.
  3. In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk cream cheese spread, milk, and dry Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing Mix packet until smooth. Pour the mixture evenly over the contents inside the pot.
  4. Cover and cook on low heat setting for about 3 hours or high-heat setting for about 90 minutes.

While waiting patiently as these incredible aromas fill your kitchen:

  1. Once done, remove the lid from the pot and stir gently but thoroughly so the sauce coats each piece completely before serving immediately alongside Caesar salad tossed mixed greens topped croutons grated Parmesan roasted vegetables if desired.

This creamy concoction can be served straight out of the crockpot onto plates garnished with fresh parsley leaves and additional shredded cheddar cheese sprinkled atop individual servings according to personal preference and taste preferences.

Readers who have tried this recipe rave about its simplicity and deliciousness. Many have mentioned that it’s a hit with their families, making it the perfect weeknight meal option. Some readers even suggest serving this dish alongside a Caesar salad or roasted vegetables to complete the meal.

Now that you know how easy it is to make Crockpot Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pasta, why not give it a try? Your taste buds will thank you!

Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions

Preparing Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pasta ahead of time can be a great way to save time on busy days or when hosting guests. Here are some make-ahead tips from URL1 and URL3 that will help you enjoy this delicious dish with minimal effort:

1. Cook the chicken and bacon in advance:

To streamline your cooking process, consider preparing the seasoned chicken breasts and crispy bacon ahead of time. Once cooked, allow them to cool completely before storing them separately in airtight containers.

2. Store pasta separately:

If you plan on making the entire dish ahead of time, it’s best to store the cooked pasta separately from other ingredients like sauce, cheese, chicken, and bacon. This prevents the noodles from becoming mushy as they absorb moisture over time.

3. Assemble just before serving (for stovetop version):

When ready to serve your make-ahead Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta prepared using stove-top instructions mentioned in URLs 1 & 3), simply reheat all individual components – including pre-cooked chicken breast slices/bacon bits – while keeping each ingredient separate until heated through properly.

4. Reheating leftovers:

– Stove-top method: For reheating leftover stovetop Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta, place desired portion(s) into a skillet over medium heat. Add small amounts of water/cream/milk if needed for added moisture during the heating process. Stir occasionally till thoroughly warmed up.

– Oven method: Preheat oven at around 350°F(175°C). Place portions onto an oven-safe baking dish. Cover loosely with foil. Bake for about 15 minutes or until heated throughout. Remove foil towards the end so the top gets slightly crispier (optional).

– Microwave Method: Transfer single servings into microwave-safe bowls/dishes. Microwave uncovered at high power level, stopping every minute/stirring gently between intervals, till fully hot.

Remember these general guidelines for storing leftovers:

  • Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it into an airtight container.
  • Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Ensure that your fridge is set at or below 40°F (4°C) to maintain food safety.
  • When reheating, add a splash of water/cream/milk if needed and stir occasionally while heating.

By following these make-ahead tips and storage instructions, you can enjoy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta whenever you desire without compromising on taste or quality.

Conclusion

Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pasta is a mouthwatering dish that combines the savory flavors of chicken, bacon, ranch seasoning, and pasta. In this blog post, we explored different variations of this recipe – stovetop and crockpot versions.

Stovetop Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe

In the stovetop version mentioned in URL1 and URL3, you can enjoy a cheesy and creamy pasta with seasoned chicken pieces cooked to perfection. The addition of crispy bacon adds an extra layer of deliciousness to every bite. Don’t forget to try out some pro tips like using heavy cream instead of half-and-half for added richness or adding frozen vegetables for more nutritional value. Serve it alongside garlic bread or your favorite side salad for a complete meal experience.

Crockpot Chicken and Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe

If you prefer hands-off cooking methods, then the crockpot version from URL2 might be perfect for you! Simply combine all the ingredients including tender chunks of chicken breast with smoky bacon bits into your slow cooker along with ranch seasoning mix before letting it simmer away until everything melds together beautifully. Pair it up with Caesar salad or roasted vegetables as suggested by readers who have tried this recipe themselves!

We also discussed make-ahead options where preparing certain components ahead such as cooking chicken & bacon beforehand while storing uncooked pasta separately allows easy assembly when needed later on (URL1 & URL3). Additionally, storage instructions were provided so that leftovers could be enjoyed again without compromising taste (URL1).

The versatility offered by Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta makes it suitable not only for weeknight dinners but also potlucks or gatherings where everyone will surely appreciate its comforting flavors. The combination of succulent meaty bites mixed within rich sauce-coated noodles creates an irresistible blend sure enough to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. So why wait? Give our recipes above a chance today – don’t hesitate to share feedback after trying them yourself too!

Remember, the content has been generated based on external sources. It’s always recommended to review/edit prior to publishing to ensure accuracy and coherence.

References

  1. https://thecozycook.com/bacon-ranch-chicken-pasta/
  2. https://cookinginthemidwest.com/blog/crockpot-chicken-bacon-ranch-pasta/
  3. https://www.thereciperebel.com/chicken-bacon-ranch-pasta/

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