Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Chicken...good. Pasta...good. Ranch flavoring...good. Chicken Ranch Pasta with BACON? Dinner perfection. My stomach still hurts a little from eating so much of this stuff. Try it. Tonight. 'Nuff said.
 

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Prep time: 15min  Cook time: 25 min
Serves 4  

1/3 cup bacon, diced (about 8 slices)

2 chicken breasts, diced

Salt and pepper, to taste

8 oz penne pasta

1 Tbs butter
1 Tbs flour
2 Tbs Ranch dressing mix
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a large pot, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add diced bacon and cook until crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.

Pour off some of the bacon grease, leaving about a tablespoon in the pan. Return pan to burner and heat to medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and black pepper. Add chicken to pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until cooked through.

In a large pot, melt butter. Add flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring. Slowly whisk in milk. Continue cooking until sauce thickens. Add in ranch dressing mix and cheese. Stir until cheese melts. Add chicken, bacon and pasta. Stir to coat.