Description
A comforting and flavorful one-pan dish combining tender chicken breasts, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch sauce with perfectly cooked pasta, all made in a skillet for an easy and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Dairy
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 slices bacon
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Dry and Pantry Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces pasta (such as penne or rotini)
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Cook the chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until fully cooked through and golden brown.
- Set aside chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate to rest while you cook the other ingredients.
- Cook the bacon: In the same skillet, add the bacon slices and cook over medium heat until crispy, about 4-5 minutes.
- Drain bacon: Transfer the crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
- Remove excess grease: Remove most of the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon behind for flavor.
- Sauté onions: Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Sauté garlic: Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently.
- Add spices: Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper; toast the spices for about 30 seconds to enhance their aroma.
- Add pasta: Pour the dry pasta into the skillet making sure it is evenly distributed.
- Add broth and simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook pasta covered: Cover the skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes until the pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare bacon: While pasta cooks, crumble the drained bacon into small pieces.
- Add ranch and cream: Once pasta is cooked, reduce heat to low and stir in ranch dressing and heavy cream to create a creamy sauce.
- Incorporate cheeses: Add mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until melted and smoothly blended into the sauce.
- Slice chicken: Slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Add the sliced chicken back into the skillet and stir to combine with the creamy pasta.
- Add bacon: Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the dish and mix it in evenly.
- Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a fresh, vibrant finish.
- Serve: Serve the dish hot immediately and enjoy this hearty, flavorful skillet meal.
Notes
- Use pasta like penne or rotini for best texture and sauce absorption.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- Adjust seasoning according to your taste; more ranch dressing can be added for extra creaminess.
- If desired, substitute heavy cream for a lighter option like half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated and reheated within 2 days.
