What? CHICKEN BACON RANCH CASSEROLE. Impressive.

I remember when Hidden Valley Salad Dressing came out with Bacon Ranch Salad Dresssing. My youngest daughter, Amy, thought she had died and gone to Heaven. Two of her favorite flavors all in one..and now this! A  whole dish featuring those two flavors.

Bacon Ranch Chicken Casserole

Ingredients:

For the chicken and pasta dish:

• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs*, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Ranch Seasoning and Salad Dressing Mix, or more, to taste
• 8 ounces rotini pasta
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

For the Alfredo sauce

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream, or more, to taste
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Lightly oil a 9×9 baking dish or coat with nonstick spray.
3. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
4. Gradually whisk in heavy cream. Cook, whisking constantly, until incorporated, about 1-2 minutes.
5. Stir in Parmesan until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. If the mixture is too thick, add more heavy cream as needed
6. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
7. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.
8. Add bacon and cook until brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes.
9. Drain excess fat; reserving 1 tablespoon in the skillet. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate.
10. In a gallon size Ziploc bag, add chicken, 1 tablespoon olive oil and Ranch Seasoning, shaking to coat thoroughly.
11. Add chicken to the skillet and cook, flipping once, until cooked through, about 2-3 minutes on each side; set aside.
12. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions; drain well.
13. Add pasta to the prepared baking dish and layer with chicken and Alfredo sauce; sprinkle with cheeses and bacon.
14. Place into oven and bake until bubbly and heated through, about 15-20 minutes.
15. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Quick Tip: Add a side salad and also heat up a loaf of sourdough french bread or bread sticks and you are set.

Recipe and Photo courtesy of Chungah at Damn Delicious