Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Chef’s Note: That chicken is ON POINT. Juicy, moist, and tasty with the seasoning. Sauce fully encompasses pasta. It's making me think of carbonara. Don’t really taste the ranch.
Ingredients
6 strips bacon
Kosher salt
onion powder
Italian seasoning
2 small boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cups uncooked short pasta, (e.g. rotini, penne, bowtie, cavatappi, or cellentani)
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
3 garlic clove, minced
2 cups half and half (sub. heavy cream)
2 Tbsp dry ranch dressing seasoning mix
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (recommended to shred off the block)
(opt.) Frozen mixed vegetables, as a side or mixed in. (I use a California veggie blend)
(opt.) Garlic Bread with Cheese, as a side
Instructions
Cook the Meats
Cook the bacon in a large skillet over low heat (low and slow is best for bacon).
the pan aside and pour bacon drippings into a small bowl. Carefully wipe the skillet clean.
Cut each chicken breast into two thinner cutlets.
Pat dry and season each side with salt, onion powder, and Italian seasoning, rubbing in the seasoning on each side .
Heat 2 Tbsp. bacon drippings in the skillet over medium-high heat.
Sear the chicken on each side for 3 to 4 minutes, until a golden brown crust has developed. Chicken should be at our near cooked through (165F)
Set chicken aside on a plate once cooked through. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then cut into cubes of desired size.
Make the Sauce & Pasta
Start heating salted water to a boil.
Once the water is boiling, add the peas and the pasta. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain pasta once finished.
Melt butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Sauté the garlic for 1 minute.
Add the flour and stir continuously for 1 more minute.
Add half and half to the skillet in splashes, stirring as you do so. Bring it to a gentle bubble, then reduce heat to low.
Add the Ranch seasoning and stir to combine.
Gradually stir in the cheese.
Combine the Pasta/Chicken/Bacon
Roughly chop the bacon once it has cooled.
Add the bacon and chicken to the pasta.
Pour over sauce. Stir to combine.
Heat to get rid of any excess liquid and warm everything through
