Cheddar Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

this week has been so tiring for me. i don't know what it is but i'm just exhausted. i am hoping tomorrow night i am going to get a chance to go out and have some fun at a coheed and cambria show in boston. good music and hanging out with people i haven't seen in a while. maybe i'm just tired because i have been back in the swing of going to the gym and getting up earlier than normal.

however before i go any further i feel the need to tell you, i am not on weight watchers. i don't think i ever could see myself doing weight watchers. the whole points thing seems odd to me but that's my own personal hold up. i hear it works well for some people. i did however come across a meal that look, and wound up actually being, pretty tasty. i mean, truthfully, you can not go wrong with bacon. (actually, when i made this i used turkey bacon so if there is going wrong that's where i went wrong..)

weight watchers cheddar chicken bacon ranch pasta

recipe adapted from Better Homes & Gardens, only lightened up for those Weight Watching by Hope Vaillancourt

ingredients

1/2 lb whole wheat penne pasta

4 slc bacon, diced

1/2 Tbsp light butter

1 lg 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 & 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.