Description
Delicious Chicken Bacon Ranch Pull-Apart Bread with gooey cheese, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch. Perfect for parties and game day!
Ingredients
To serve about 4 people, you’ll need:
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12 oz dry pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
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Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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4 oz cream cheese, softened
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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1 cup chicken broth
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1 cup ranch dressing (homemade or good-quality store-bought)
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1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
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Red pepper flakes (optional, for some heat)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions (usually about 8-10 minutes). Drain the pasta, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water, and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the chicken to the skillet and sauté for about 6-8 minutes until the pieces are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the softened cream cheese and chicken broth. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Stir in the ranch dressing, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses into the sauce. Keep stirring gently until the cheeses are melted and the sauce thickens slightly. Adjust the consistency by adding some reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir it into the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss everything gently until the pasta and chicken are fully coated with the creamy ranch sauce.
Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. For a little heat, sprinkle in red pepper flakes. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
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Cream Cheese Softness: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps in the sauce.
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Avoid Overcooking Chicken: Cook chicken just until done to keep it juicy.
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Consistency: If the sauce gets too thick, loosen it with reserved pasta water, chicken broth, or a splash of milk.
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Reheating: Reheat leftovers on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or milk to keep the sauce creamy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 540
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 26g
- Protein: 38g