Turn OFF the Oven and Make this Instant Pot Chicken Ranch Pasta with Bacon
Need an easy and delicious Instant Pot meal idea?
If you’re in search of a delicious dinner the entire family will enjoy, make this instant pot chicken ranch pasta with bacon! This cheesy pasta dish features a creamy ranch sauce and crumbled bacon. The best part is, you can just throw all the ingredients in and come back to a perfectly cooked, and oh so comforting meal!
The Instant Pot can come in handy for last-minute meal planning!
This idea took me under 40 minutes and was mostly hands-off as far as effort. These are my favorite types of ideas! Plus these are all pretty common ingredients to keep on hand. I saved some leftover bacon from breakfast and added it at the end!
Hip Tip: Make your own ranch seasoning packet using THIS easy recipe!
Instant Pot Ranch Chicken Pasta with Bacon
yield: 5 SERVINGS
prep time: 10 MINUTES
cook time: 4 MINUTES
total time: 14 MINUTES
This one-pot pasta dish featuring ranch and chicken is over the top delicious and easy to make!
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken thighs (or breast meat)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
- 1 envelope ranch dressing mix
- 1 lb dry penne pasta
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices cooked bacon
Directions
1
Cut chicken into one-inch pieces. Salt & pepper to taste.
2
Turn Instant Pot to Saute function. Add olive oil and saute chicken for a couple minutes. Scrape any remaining bits on the bottom of the pot.
3
Stir in ranch dressing mix, milk, broth, and uncooked pasta.
4
Secure lid. Turn valve to "sealing", and set the Instant Pot to 4 minutes on Manual or High.
5
After done, do a quick release on pressure.
Tip: Use the back of a wooden spoon to move the valve when releasing pressure, and if any liquid starts releasing, loosely cover with a kitchen towel.
6
Remove lid and stir in the cream cheese, shredded cheese, and bacon.
7
Serve warm.
Additional Notes
Recipe adapted from TastesBetterFromScratch.comÂ
My family was happy to dive into this cheesy goodness!
I love that the texture was kinda like a creamy mac and cheese, so the kids are all about it. The flavor was delicious with the bacon and ranch, and overall this was a solid choice for a crowd-pleasing Instant Pot dinner! Plus, I didn’t even turn on the oven, which definitely means I’ll be adding this to the summer meal rotation.
I even had some re-heated the next day and it was YUM. Enjoy!
Sounds awesome, canât wait to try it!!
Looks great! Is there a printer-friendly version?
Yes there is a printer icon towards the bottom of post to print- may be on the desktop version though.
Ditto-I would like a print version so I promptly make it this weekend. Another great one Lina!!
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I’m always looking for new quick and easy ones because we’re always on the go.
Awesome! I think you’ll like this one. Even good left over đ
Thanks! Can it be done in a crockpot? On what setting for how long?
Ooh, this looks good! What can I add instead of bacon to make it more filling and nutritious? Any veggie suggestions?
I think you could add in some broccoli or edamame at the end!
Sweet peas…I’d thaw the frozen ones and then add in just long enough to warm them.
Baby carrots or brussel sprouts or broccoli……..
I made this for dinner tonight! It was so delicious! Even my little ones loved it! It was more like 12+ servings for us. We had a salad and fresh fruit with it. Thank you for posting this! It will be going on our dinner menu often!
Who has leftover bacon?! đ
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I cook bacon just to have it leftover đ good for blt, this recipe, quick breakfast snack. A âproteinâ snack when needed.
Same question as above, any directions on how to use it in the crockpot since I don’t have an Instant Pot yet?
Do you have Crockpot directions for this recipe? Thanks!
I have not tried this on the slow cooker personally, but imagine if you put the chicken with cream cheese and ranch dressing, omit broth and milk- and cook on high for about 3-4 hours or low 6-8 thatâd work. Then just cook noodles separately – thin with milk if desired at end and add in bacon at end. Thanks.
Thank you!
Made this last night. Everyone loved it. Thanks!
Perfect! Thanks for sharing đ
Can I double or 1.5 this to serve more? My family is larger than 5…
Cooked this tonite with my teen and preteen girls… the hardest part was cooking the bacon and keeping it from being eaten before the chicken was ready! Delicious! Made a bag of microwave peas and it was a complete meal! I will definitely make this again!
Oh thatâs awesome news! Thanks for sharing â¤ď¸
Does it ever thicken up?
Looks great! I wonder if there is a substitute for the cream cheese – maybe full fat yogurt? Ugh…I just donât have any cream cheese.
Any recipe to do this recipe in a crock pot?yum