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One Pot Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Penne Bake

creamy chicken bacon ranch penne bake - featured image
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This rich and savory pasta bake combines juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch sauce in a single oven-safe pot for a comforting, crowd-pleasing dinner. It’s quick to prepare, easy to clean up, and perfect for busy weeknights or cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), diced
  • 6 strips bacon (about 5 oz), chopped
  • 12 oz dried penne pasta
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 oz)
  • 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 medium onion (about 2.5 oz), finely diced
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Dice chicken and bacon.
  2. In a large oven-safe pot over medium heat, cook chopped bacon for 5-7 minutes until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot.
  3. Add diced chicken to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until just golden, about 4-5 minutes. Add onion and garlic, cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
  4. Sprinkle ranch seasoning over chicken, stir to coat. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Add penne pasta and bring to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
  5. Add softened cream cheese and stir until melted and smooth. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring often, until pasta is just shy of al dente.
  6. Fold in half the shredded cheddar cheese and all the cooked bacon. Mix well, taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over the top. Transfer pot to oven (uncovered) and bake for 15-18 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden. Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

For gluten-free, use GF pasta and watch cooking time. For dairy-free, substitute coconut cream and vegan cheese. Add veggies like spinach or broccoli for extra nutrition. If sauce is too thin after baking, let sit uncovered to thicken. Use freshly shredded cheese for best melt. Can be made ahead and baked later.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken bacon ranch pasta, creamy penne bake, one pot dinner, easy pasta bake, comfort food, weeknight dinner, ranch chicken pasta, oven baked pasta

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/one-pot-creamy-chicken-bacon-ranch-penne-bake-easy-dinner-recipe/