Restless Chipotle

menu icon
go to newsletter page
search icon
×

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Casserole

Published: Last Updated: by 897 words. | About 5 minutes to read this article.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a foolproof casserole recipe that's ready in less than 30 minutes! Tender chicken, crispy bacon, chiles, and pasta are combined in a creamy sauce then layered with cheese and baked. It's perfect for busy weeknights because it's make-ahead and freezable, too!
Total time 30 minutes
Jump to Recipe

This easy recipe is a great option for potlucks, too! It's the perfect comfort food.

A serving being removed from the casserole dish. Title text overlay.
Jump to:

❤️ Why you'll love it

  • Takes less than 30 minutes
  • Make ahead and/or freeze
  • Use up leftover chicken

Chicken bacon ranch pasta is full of tender chunks of chicken, crispy bacon, and penne - all stirred together in a creamy, cheesy sauce that's flavored with Ranch seasoning.

It's a hearty comfort food that will have the family licking their plates!

🧾 Ingredients

Ingredients for chicken bacon ranch casserole.

Any pasta will work in this easy casserole - farfalle (bowtie pasta), penne, rotini, shells, etc. I like to use a pasta shape that will hold the sauce!

🔪 Instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below.

Collage of step by step images for making this chicken casserole recipe.

Step one

  1. Cook pasta until tender.
  2. Drain and add it to a large bowl with the cooked chicken, part of the bacon, and chiles.

Step two

  1. Warm the cream cheese in the microwave until it is soft.
  2. Add the sauce ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl and whisk smooth.
  3. Whisk the cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, and Ranch seasoning together until smooth.

Step three

  1. Stir the sauce into the pasta mixture.
  2. Layer the pasta and cheese in a 13x9-inch baking dish that's been greased or sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Top with cheese and bacon.
  4. Bake for 20 minutes or until hot all the way through and cheese is melted.
  5. Sprinkle with chopped green onion and serve.

🥄 Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You'll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium bowl
  • Whisk
  • 13x9-inch baking dish

🎥 Video

Click on the image to watch me make this recipe from start to finish with extra tips! (Video opens in a new tab).

Clickable image of the pasta takes you to the YouTube video.

🥫 Storage

You can assemble this chicken casserole up to three days ahead of time, cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and keep in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

You can also freeze this before or after baking. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then bake as directed.

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to five days or freeze for up to three months.

A mound of casserole on a white plate with a silver fork nearby.

💭 Tips

Expert Tip: Shred the cheese from a block. The pre-shredded cheese in bags has a cellulose powder mixed with it to keep it from sticking together - and it will keep it from melting properly.

  • Make chicken bacon ranch pasta quick and easy with precooked chicken from the store. Pick up rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken strips.
  • Cooked and diced pork roast works well, too.
  • Use chicken thighs instead of breast.
  • Use leftover turkey or ham.
  • Add cooked broccoli or peas - it's a great way to sneak in veggies for extra nutrition.
  • Substitute Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for the Cheddar cheese.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Here are the most commonly asked questions about this recipe. If you don't find the answer to yours here leave a comment below or email me - I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

Can you freeze chicken bacon ranch casserole?

Yes! Since this recipe uses cream of chicken soup it can be frozen without worrying about the sauce separating.

Can I use chicken thighs in place of chicken breast?

Yes! You can use cooked, boneless chicken thighs in this recipe if you prefer.

Overhead view of the chicken casserole garnished with bacon and green onions.

📞 The last word

  • I honestly liked this better the next day!
  • You may need to add a little milk or evaporated milk if it doesn't seem like there's enough liquid in the sauce.

I love easy weeknight dinners! There's nothing like knowing your day has been out of control but you've got dinnertime covered with a yummy dish the entire family will love.

📖 Recipe

Closeup of the pasta showing the gooey cheese sauce.
5 from 3 votes

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Casserole

Print Add to Collection Pin Recipe
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a foolproof casserole recipe that's ready in less than 30 minutes! Tender chicken, crispy bacon, chiles, and pasta are combined in a creamy sauce then layered with cheese and baked. It's perfect for busy weeknights because it's make-ahead and freezable, too!
Course Main Dish (Quick and Easy)
Cuisine American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings:8
Calories:687
Author:Marye Audet-White
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless chicken breast, cooked
  • 16 ounces penne pasta
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup chiles
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 21 ounces cream of chicken soup, don't dilute
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 ounce Ranch seasoning mix
  • ¼ cup green onions

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°
  • Oil a 13x9-inch baking dish and set aside.
  • Cook and dice the chicken.
  • Cook the pasta until tender; drain.
  • Cook the bacon until crisp; crumble.
  • Mix the chicken, pasta, ¾ths of the bacon, and chiles together in a large bowl.
  • Shred the Mozzarella and Cheddar and mix together.
  • Whisk the cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, and Ranch seasoning together.
  • Stir into the pasta mixture.
  • Add a layer of the pasta mixture to the baking dish.
  • Cover with ½ of the cheese.
  • Add another layer of the pasta mixture.
  • Bake for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and cover with the remaining cheese.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining bacon.
  • Bake for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and casserole is heated all the way through.

Notes

Expert Tip: Shred the cheese from a block. The pre-shredded cheese in bags has a cellulose powder mixed with it to keep it from sticking together - and it will keep it from melting properly.
  • Make this quick and easy with precooked chicken from the store. Either pick up rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken strips.
  • Cooked and diced pork roast works well, too.
  • Use chicken thighs instead of breast.
  • Use leftover turkey or ham.
  • Add cooked broccoli or peas for extra nutrition.
  • Substitute Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for the Cheddar cheese.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 687kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 146mg | Sodium: 1077mg | Potassium: 733mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 922IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 320mg | Iron: 3mg

Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!

    We'll never share your email or send you spam. Pinkie swear.

    About Marye

    With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Love it? Give it 5 stars!