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Chicken Bacon Ranch Penne

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A comforting and creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken, smoky bacon, and a rich sauce, perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta and Protein
  • 4 cups dry penne pasta, cooked and drained
  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Ranch dressing mix
For the Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter, divided
  • 2 tablespoons light virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 small white onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon Ranch dressing mix
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
  • 16 oz. cooked thick-cut bacon, chopped and divided
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, patted dry and chopped
  • 3 cups Italian style cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  2. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Ranch dressing mix. Cook until fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Making the Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium, add the remaining butter, and sauté the onions until they are translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  2. Sprinkle the flour into the skillet, whisking it well to avoid lumps. Cook for 1-2 minutes until it starts to turn a light golden color.
  3. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, followed by the heavy cream. Add Italian seasoning, dried basil, salt, and the second tablespoon of Ranch dressing mix. Stir until the sauce thickens, then mix in the Parmesan cheese, half of the cooked bacon, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Combining and Baking
  1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked penne, chicken, and sauce. Mix well until everything is coated.
  2. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining bacon and Italian style cheese.
  3. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until it’s bubbly and golden on top. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 40gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4g

Notes

For extra flavor, consider using flavored bacon or wrapping the chicken in bacon before cooking. Under-cook your penne by a minute; it will continue to cook in the oven, preventing it from getting mushy. Fresh herbs can substitute dried ones for an aromatic twist—thyme or oregano work beautifully.
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