This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Casserole is a comforting one-pot meal that combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch dressing for a hearty and satisfying family dinner. This is a stovetop/oven recipe but if you love kitchen efficiency, parts of the dish can be prepared in the Instant Pot (e.g. shredded chicken, cooked pasta).
In This Post:
- ℹ️ Recipe Overview
- 🛒 Ingredients
- 📷 How To Make It
- 📹 Watch The Video
- 👩🍳Recipes Tips
- 🥦 What To Serve With
- 🫙Storage Tips
- 📝 Go To Full Recipe >>
- ⭐️ Comment On & Rate This Recipe
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
This chicken bacon pasta is a one-pot casserole dish that combines convenience and indulgence. It's one of our oven/stovetop recipes but you can pre-cook shredded chicken in the Instant Pot and even use it to make the pasta ahead of time.
The casserole format makes it easy to prepare and perfect for busy evenings or meal prepping.
Plus, you can substitute the chicken with other meats like ground beef, turkey, or pork, and experiment with different pasta types like fusilli, elbow macaroni, or rotini.
You will love creamy chicken pasta recipe.
👉 If you want more creamy chicken recipes, try our Instant Pot chicken Fricasse, French onion chicken or poached chicken with creamy rossa tomato sauce. While you're at it, have a browse through our collection of the BEST Instant pot chicken recipes.
What You Need
The flavors in the chicken bacon ranch pasta casserole come from a tasty blend of several key ingredients:
- Shredded Chicken: Provides a rich, savory base and adds a hearty texture to the dish. You can cook a large chicken breast ahead of time using or use any leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken.
- Bacon: Adds a smoky, salty crunch, infusing the casserole with a depth of umami flavor.
- Ranch Dressing Seasoning Mix: This is a pivotal ingredient that imparts a unique, tangy, and herby taste, characteristic of ranch dressing.
- Garlic and Onion Powders: These spices offer a subtle pungency and warmth, enhancing the overall savoriness.
- Half and Half: Contributes to the creaminess of the dish, balancing the stronger flavors with its mild and smooth texture.
- Cheese (optional): Although not listed in the original recipe, topping the casserole with cheese before baking adds a gooey, melty element that complements the other flavors.
- Pasta: Any medium-shaped pasta can be used, which needs to be cooked ahead of time. I recommend cooking the pasta 1 minute less than the recommended time as it will continue to cook in the oven.
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
You will find the full recipe with ingredients and nutritional breakdown in the recipe card below. Here are step-by-step photos to guide you along.
- Make-ahead components: cook the pasta and cook some chicken if you're not using a store-bought cooked chicken. Cook pasta for 1 minute less than stated on the pack as it will continue to cook and soften in the oven.
- Heat the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 F | 180 C. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Combine pasta casserole. In a large bowl, add cooked pasta, shredded chicken, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, ranch dressing, half and half and salt. Combine all together and transfer in the baking dish. Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes.
- Cook bacon in the oven. Prepare a baking tray with parchment paper. Cut bacon into small pieces, lay on the parchment paper and roast at the same time with the chicken casserole.
- Note: We designed the recipe in the way that the bacon can be cooked at the same time as pasta baking but you can pan-fry or grill it separately on the stovetop.
Recipe Tips
These tips should help you tailor the Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole to your taste and make the cooking process even more enjoyable!
- Pasta: Choose pasta that holds sauce well, like penne or fusilli. If using a different type, adjust cooking time accordingly to avoid overcooking in the oven.
- Chicken: For convenience, use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken. If cooking chicken specifically for this dish, seasoning it with some of the ranch dressing mix can enhance its flavor.
- Ranch: If you prefer a less intense ranch flavor, start with less seasoning and adjust to taste. Homemade ranch seasoning can also be used for a fresher flavor profile.
- Cheese: Although not in the original recipe, adding a layer of shredded cheese like cheddar or mozzarella on top before the final bake can add a gooey, delicious dimension to the dish.
- Creaminess: If the mixture seems too thick, you can thin it with a bit more half and half or milk. Conversely, if it's too runny, a little extra cheese or a sprinkle of flour can help thicken it.
- Instant Pot adaptation: Use the Instant Pot for cooking the chicken and/or pasta to save time. Be sure to adjust the liquid quantities and cooking times as per the Instant Pot instructions.
- Add veggies: if not planning to serve a veggie side dish, you can add spinach, broccoli, peas and carrots directly into the casserole.
- Herbs: Garnish with fresh parsley, chives, or green onions before serving to add a burst of color and freshness.
- Make-ahead strategy: Assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it's going into the oven cold.
- Serving suggestions: Pair the casserole with a light salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness of the dish.
Full Recipe
Find the full list of ingredients, instructions, and a nutritional breakdown below. If you have questions or cook this recipe, please let us know in the comments, and make sure to rate this recipe so it’s easy for others to find.
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Casserole
Ingredients
- 0.8 lb penne pasta cooked (12-13 oz | 350-400 g)
- 2 cups chicken shredded cooked, 10-11 oz | 300 g
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoon seasoning mix dry ranch dressing
- 2 cups half and half 13 fl.oz | 500 ml
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup bacon diced (8 oz | 225 g)
Instructions
- Make-ahead components: Cook pasta for 1 minute less than stated on the pack as it will continue to cook and soften in the oven. Strain and let it cool slightly.
- You can make shredded chicken in the Instant Pot or use any leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken. Alternatively cut 1 large chicken breast in halves and pan-fry for 4-5 minutes each side, then shred or slice.
- Heat the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 F | 180 C. Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Combine pasta casserole. In a large bowl, add cooked pasta, shredded chicken, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, ranch dressing, half and half and salt. Combine all together and transfer in the baking dish. Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 minutes.
- Cook bacon in the oven. Prepare a baking tray with parchment paper. Cut bacon into small pieces, lay on the parchment paper and roast at the same time with the chicken casserole.
- Note: We designed the recipe in the way that the bacon can be cooked at the same time as pasta baking but you can pan-fry or grill it separately on the stovetop.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheat on low-medium heat until hot in the centre.
- Freezing is not recommended for this dish.
Nutrition
Storage Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheat on low-medium heat until hot in the centre.
- Freezing is not recommended for this dish.
TAYLER ROSS
I made this pasta for dinner last night and OMG was it delicious! So flavorful and easy to make too!
Ieva
Simple, delicious and super easy to throw together for a busy weeknight! Salty, cheesy and a great use of our leftover Sunday Roast Chicken.
Nikki
A perfect meal on a busy weeknight, this chicken bacon ranch pasta is hearty, comforting and delicious.
Traci
I don't think there's a more comforting entree than this chicken bacon ranch pasta. Everyone loves it ... and I love how easy it is. Thanks for sharing!
Beth
This is fantastic! Bacon ranch anything is always great, but pairing it with chicken and pasta makes it absolutely stellar.