Chicken bacon ranch pasta

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

3 tablespoons flour

6 strips bacon

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 cups uncooked pasta (rotini, penne, rigatoni, bow tie, etc.)

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

2 cups half and half (can substitute whole milk)

2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing seasoning mix

Instructions:

Shred the cheddar cheese and set it aside at room temperature to allow it to melt smoothly.

Let the bacon sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before frying. Cut the bacon into smaller squares using kitchen scissors.

Heat a large skillet over low heat and add the bacon. Cook slowly, turning it over as it begins to curl, to ensure even cooking. Leave 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the pan.

Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Toss the chicken pieces in 3 tablespoons of flour.