Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 slice bacon
• 8 ounces cooked chicken, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 5 ounces diced cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill (1 - 1.5 Tbsp fresh dill)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. 1. Cook pasta according to package directions (with 1 tsp salt in pasta water).
2. 2. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, reserving drippings in pan. Finely chop bacon; set aside. Increase heat to medium-high. Add chicken to drippings in pan; saute until it is warm.
3. 3. Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat; sprinkle flour evenly into pan. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk. Gradually add milk to saucepan, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes or until thick. Remove from heat; let stand 4 minutes. Add cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, dill, and salt, stirring until cheese melts. Stir in pasta and chicken.