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cavatappi pasta with cooked skinless chicken breast cubes and small crisp bacon pieces in a pale creamy sauce with fine dried herb flecks
Andre Lewis

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Cook the bacon first and use a little of its drippings to brown the chicken, then build the herb milk sauce after the meat comes out. Dill, parsley and chives give it the ranch flavor, while a small flour base keeps the coating smooth around the spirals without a jar of sauce. Save most of the bacon for the last toss so it keeps some texture, and serve before the noodles cool and thicken the sauce in the pan.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz dry cavatappi
  • 1 tbsp fine salt for pasta water
  • 4 slices bacon about 4 oz, diced
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 tsp fine salt for chicken and sauce
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 1/4 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp dried chives
  • 1/4 tsp dried dill
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 oz sharp cheddar cheese grated

Method
 

  1. Cook cavatappi in water with the tablespoon salt until 1 minute short of the package time. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet for 6 to 8 minutes until crisp. Transfer to a plate and leave 1 tablespoon drippings in the skillet.
  3. Season chicken with its salt and pepper and cook in the drippings for 6 to 8 minutes until browned and at least 165°F. Transfer to a clean plate, leaving the skillet over medium-low heat.
  4. Melt butter in the skillet and stir in flour for 1 minute, then gradually whisk in milk and broth. Add dried herbs, garlic powder and onion powder and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until lightly thickened.
  5. Remove from heat and melt cheddar into the sauce. Add pasta, chicken, bacon and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water; return to low heat for 1 minute to finish the pasta, adding more water if needed, and serve.