Savory Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta Bake: A Flavorful Delight

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups of fresh broccoli florets
• 3 tablespoons of water
• 3 tablespoons of ranch dressing mix, split into separate portions
• 2 pounds of chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, chopped into small, delectable pieces
• ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
• 1 large container of chicken broth, totaling 48 ounces
• 1 package of small shell pasta, measuring 16 ounces
• 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon of premium extra virgin olive oil
• 2 ¾ cups of milk
• 1 package of dry Alfredo sauce mix, weighing 1.6 ounces, like the one from Knorr®
• ½ cup of sour cream
• Generous dashes of salt and freshly ground black pepper to your personal taste
• 1 cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 strips of crispy bacon, cooked and crumbled

Step 1

Begin by placing fresh broccoli florets and a splash of water in a bowl suitable for the microwave. Cover it up and let it steam away until it reaches the perfect tenderness, typically taking around 3 to 4 minutes. Once done, remove the bowl and drain off any excess liquid before setting it aside for later.

Step 2

While the broccoli works its magic in the microwave, grab a large resealable plastic bag and toss in a tablespoon of zesty ranch dressing mix. Then, add in the chicken pieces along with a sprinkle of pepper. Seal the bag and give it a good massage to coat the chicken evenly with those flavorful seasonings.

Step 3

In a separate large pot, pour in some chicken broth and bring it to a lively boil over medium-high heat. Drop in the pasta shells and let them dance in the bubbling broth. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and cook the pasta, stirring occasionally until it's almost al dente, which should take roughly 10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta, ensuring to save about 1/2 cup of the cooking broth for later use.

Step 4

Preheat your oven to a toasty 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and prepare a 9x13-inch casserole dish by greasing it lightly.

Step 5

Next, heat up a mixture of butter and olive oil in a spacious nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides, working in batches if needed, for about 7 minutes. Once beautifully browned, transfer the chicken to a plate.

Step 6

In the same skillet, pour in some milk, Alfredo sauce mix, and the remaining ranch dressing mix. Let the mixture come to a boil, then turn off the heat. Add back the cooked chicken along with any juicy bits, the steamed broccoli, sour cream, reserved pasta broth, a pinch of salt, and a dash of pepper. Combine everything well before transferring this flavorful medley to the awaiting casserole dish. Finish it off by sprinkling a generous amount of Parmesan cheese and crispy bacon over the top.

Step 7

Slide the casserole dish into the preheated oven and let it bake until the cheese is gooey and the sauce is bubbling, typically around 20 minutes. Once ready, serve this delightful dish warm and enjoy!