Name: Ranch and Bacon Chicken with Penne Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: Skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - 2 ½ pounds; Kosher salt - 2 teaspoons; Seasoned salt - 2 teaspoons; Ground black pepper - 1 teaspoon; Red pepper flakes - 1 teaspoon; Dried thyme - ½ teaspoon; Chicken broth - 5 cups; Cream cheese, softened - 1 (8 ounce) package; Dry ranch dressing mix (such as Hidden Valley Ranch®) - 1 (1 ounce) package; Penne pasta - 1 (16 ounce) package; Milk - 1 cup; Bacon - 1 (8 ounce) package; Shredded Cheddar cheese, or more to taste - 2 cups

Ingredients for - Ranch and Bacon Chicken with Penne Pasta

1. Skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 2 ½ pounds

2. Kosher salt 2 teaspoons

3. Seasoned salt 2 teaspoons

4. Ground black pepper 1 teaspoon

5. Red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon

6. Dried thyme ½ teaspoon

7. Chicken broth 5 cups

8. Cream cheese, softened 1 (8 ounce) package

9. Dry ranch dressing mix (such as Hidden Valley Ranch®) 1 (1 ounce) package

10. Penne pasta 1 (16 ounce) package

11. Milk 1 cup

12. Bacon 1 (8 ounce) package

13. Shredded Cheddar cheese, or more to taste 2 cups

How to cook deliciously - Ranch and Bacon Chicken with Penne Pasta

1 . Stage

Place chicken in a slow cooker. Coat with kosher salt, seasoned salt, black pepper, pepper flakes, and thyme. Pour chicken broth in and around the chicken. Cook on Low for 5 to 6 hours.

2 . Stage

Shred chicken and place back into the broth. Add cream cheese and stir well to dissolve. Stir in ranch dressing. Add pasta and milk. Stir, place lid back on, and cook on High for 30 minutes.

3 . Stage

In the meantime, place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels.

4 . Stage

Mix Cheddar cheese into pasta; crumble in bacon and stir to combine. Cook until cheese is melted and pasta is tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes more.