Cheesy Bacon and Ranch Chicken Pasta

Cheesy Bacon and Ranch Chicken Pasta

4 ounces pasta (I used gluten free penne)
8 ounces of bacon
1/2 Tablespoon olive oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 3/4-1" chunks
2 Tablespoons flour
1/2 T dry ranch mix
1-1/2 cups milk
4 ounces Velveeta or 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain and keep a lid on pot until sauce is ready.

Meanwhile, cook bacon in large skillet until crisp.  Drain on paper towel, reserving 1 Tablespoon of the bacon grease in the pan.

Add chicken and cook until no longer pink.  (My chicken was a little frozen so it gave way to juices and didn't brown as nice as it would otherwise.)

 Sprinkle flour onto chicken and stir to coat.

Add milk, stirring as you go to keep lumps from forming.  I really like my flat whisk for this job!

Cook until thick and bubbly.

Stir in ranch seasoning.   Use more than 1/2 Tablespoon if you like.  

Add in cheese and bacon, stirring until cheese is melted. Stir in drained pasta and serve.

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #72

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An InLinkz Link-up

Thank you to everyone for making last week's Foodie Friends Friday Fruit Party a huge success. Did you see all the recipes that caught OUR attention last week? Check out the Host Favorites on the Daily Dish for links to all the recipes.

An InLinkz Link-up

The Ultimate Cheeseball

The flavor combination is one that will make your scratch your head and snub your nose at it.  Try it once and you'll find that you won't be able to keep yourself out of it!

The Ultimate Cheeseball  (Makes 2)                                        Printable Recipe

2 tablespoons diced onion
1 teaspoon garlic salt  (use garlic powder and a little bit of salt)
2 tablespoons diced green pepper
1 small can crushed pineapple, drained
2 - 8 ounce cream cheese, softened 
Approximately 2 cups chopped pecans


Pecans should be chopped small enough so there aren't chunky pieces left but not so small it is pulverized. Place onto a medium piece of wax paper.

 These 5 ingredients seem like an unlikely combo.

Mix together with a spoon or small mixer.

 Scoop half of the cream cheese mixture onto pecans.

 Using the wax paper to keep your hands clean, press the pecans into the cream cheese.

 Flip cheeseball.

Press more pecans into cream cheeseball until completely covered.  Without the wax paper use your hands to shape into a ball or disk shape.  Cover with plastic wrap and place into fridge.  Repeat with last half of cheese mixture.  Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to blend.