Around here, chicken and bacon are always a hit. Mix in a creamy, tangy ranch flavor and you’ve got a dish everyone will love. This Chicken Bacon Ranch recipe combines crispy chicken tenders, bacon, ranch dressing, and pasta for an easy one-pan meal. I love that you bake it all together in the oven so cleanup is a breeze. The best part is how the flavors all meld together. With just a few ingredients, it makes a hearty and delicious family dinner.
Chicken Bacon Ranch
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Boneless chicken breasts
- 1 pack Bacon
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 1 pack Ranch dressing/seasoning mix
- 1 can Condensed cream chicken soup
- 1 cup Sour cream
- ¾ cup Water
- Pepper
- 1 lb Noodles
Instructions
- First, you need to dice and cook up the entire pack of bacon.
- While the bacon is cooking, go ahead dice up the garlic cloves and add it into the slow cooker.
- Also, go ahead and add a can of condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, water, pepper and the pack of ranch dressing/seasoning mix to the slow cooker.
- Once the bacon is all cooked up add it into the slow cooker and give everything a good stir, make sure to get a good mix so that the ranch seasoning gets well mixed in.
- Place the chicken breasts inside the slow cooker and cook 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
- When there is about 20 minutes left, go ahead and make up some noodles according to the boxes directions.
- Once the chicken is done, use 2 forks and shread the chicken up and give a good mix with the sauce.
- Serve over top of noodles, or mix it altogehter first then serve.
Video
Notes
Cooking Tips
Here are some of my tips for making this Chicken Bacon Ranch:
- Use good quality chicken tenders or boneless breasts cut into strips for the best texture.
- Chop the bacon into small pieces so it cooks up nice and crispy.
- Make sure to stir everything halfway through baking so the bacon and chicken cook evenly.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle on some extra ranch seasoning or dried parsley after baking.
- Cook the pasta al dente so it doesn’t get mushy when baked. Drain it well before mixing into the chicken and bacon.
- Let it all bake uncovered at 400F for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- For a creamy sauce, stir in some extra ranch dressing just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Bacon Ranch is delicious on its own, but here are some ideas for rounding out the meal:
- Serve with a fresh green salad or steamed broccoli florets. The veggies balance the richness.
- Warm up some breadsticks or garlic bread for dipping in the yummy baked-on sauce.
- A crisp green salad with ranch dressing is the perfect pairing.
- For a lighter option, make it over zucchini noodles instead of pasta.
- Top with shredded cheddar or parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
- For a spicy kick, add hot sauce or ranch seasoning to taste.
Nutrients contained in Chicken Bacon Ranch
Based on the ingredients typically used in Chicken Bacon Ranch recipes, here are some of the key nutrients this dish contains:
- Protein – Chicken and bacon provide lean protein.
- Carbohydrates – The pasta and any breading or batter on the chicken contain carbohydrates.
- Fiber – The pasta, vegetables, and bacon contain fiber.
- Fat – Bacon, ranch dressing, cheese, and oil or butter used for cooking provide fat.
- Calcium – Any cheese sprinkled on top contains calcium.
- Iron – Chicken, pasta, and vegetables supply iron.
- Zinc – Chicken and bacon provide zinc.
- B vitamins – Chicken, bacon, veggies, pasta/grains have B vitamins like niacin, riboflavin, and folate.
So in summary, the combination of chicken, bacon, pasta/grains, and vegetables makes this dish a good source of protein, carbs, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The exact amounts would vary based on the specific ingredients and quantities used. But overall, Chicken Bacon Ranch can be a nutritious one-pan meal when made with wholesome ingredients.
FAQs
Here are some common questions I get about this recipe:
Can I use frozen chicken tenders?
You sure can! Just thaw them first and pat dry. Add a couple extra minutes to the cooking time.
What type of bacon works best?
I like to use regular sliced bacon, but bacon bits would also work well.
Do I need to pre-cook the bacon?
Nope, it cooks up just right while baking.
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of ranch?
Definitely. Plain Greek yogurt makes a healthy swap for the ranch.
What if my family doesn’t like bacon?
No problem. Simply leave out the bacon and increase the ranch flavor with more dressing or seasoning.
Can I make this in the instant pot?
You can try, but I find baking it in the oven gives the best texture.
The kids love the ranch flavor on the juicy chicken and bacon bits. My husband says it reminds him of chicken tenders from his childhood. I love that I can throw it together quickly after a long day of wrangling little ones. All the ingredients come together in a delicious baked casserole that satisfies the whole family. I never have leftovers! This versatile one-pan wonder works for busy weeknights or backyard barbecues. I hope your family loves this simple Chicken Bacon Ranch recipe as much as mine does. Let me know if you have any other favorite ways to enjoy this tasty combo!