WW Cheddar Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

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We made this last night - Dan even liked it!!  I thought it was really good and easy!  As usual I made some modifications.... I rarely fix a recipe exactly like it says.  More so out of convenience than anything.  This time I actually tried to write down everything I did different so we can make this dish again!  ☺


Weight Watchers Cheddar Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
added by Hope Vaillancourt/Just A Pinch

Here is the original recipe - my notes are below:

Ingredients
1/2 lb whole wheat penne pasta
4 slice bacon, diced
1/2 Tbsp light butter
1 large chicken breast, boneless & skinless, cut into bite sized pieces
1 Tbsp all purpose flour
1/2 pkg ranch dressing mix ( 1/2 oz)
1 c fat free milk
1/2 c fat free shredded cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1. Cook pasta according to package directions in boiling salted water; drain, return to pot, and keep warm.

2. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Drain all but 1/2 tablespoon of bacon drippings from the pan.

3. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the butter to the reserved bacon drippings, then add the chicken to the same skillet. Cook until tender, no longer pink, and slightly browned.

4. Sprinkle the flour and ranch dressing mix over the chicken, stirring to coat evenly. Stir in the milk, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and bubbly. Stir in the cheddar cheese and half of the reserved bacon; cook and stir until the cheese is melted. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.

5. Serve each plate of pasta with more bacon sprinkled over the top. 

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My Notes:
1) We used "Real Bacon Bits" instead of frying the bacon and using the drippings.

2) I cooked the chicken breast in the crock pot with Grill Mates® Montreal Chicken Seasoning and then just shredded 2.5 breasts when it was done - put it in a skillet with the bacon bits and (1) Tb light butter - let that simmer for a min to melt the butter.  Sprinkle the ranch mix over the chicken, add milk and let simmer while pasta is cooking.

3) We used mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar. 


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