Name: Baked Bacon Ranch Chicken and Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients: 2.5 cups broccoli florets; 3 tablespoons water; 3 tablespoons ranch dressing mix, divided; 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces; 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 (48 ounce) container chicken broth; 1 (16 ounce) package small shell pasta; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 2.75 cups milk; 1 (1.6 oz) package dry Alfredo sauce mix (such as Knorr®); 0.5 cup sour cream; salt and ground black pepper to taste; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 4 slices cooked and crumbled bacon

Ingredients

Instructions

Step 1

Place broccoli and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on high until steamed and tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove and drain excess liquid; set aside.
Step 2

While broccoli is steaming, place 1 tablespoon ranch dressing mix in a large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken and pepper, seal the bag, and massage to coat chicken with seasonings.
Step 3

Pour chicken broth into a large pot and bring a boil over medium-high heat. Add shells and return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally until pasta is nearly done, about 10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of cooking broth.
Step 4

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
Step 5

Heat butter and olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to the hot skillet, working in batches if necessary, and cook until browned on all sides, about 7 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate.
Step 6

Add milk, Alfredo sauce mix, and remaining 2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix to the hot skillet; bring to a boil. Turn off the heat, add chicken and any accumulated juices, pasta, broccoli, sour cream, reserved 1/2 cup pasta cooking broth, salt, and pepper. Transfer mixture to the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bacon.
Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly, about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Enjoy your meal!