This Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta recipe combines the rich flavors of crispy bacon, tender chicken, and cream cheese, all enveloped in a delightful ranch seasoning.
Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends, this dish is not only easy to make but also offers a comforting taste that will leave everyone asking for seconds. With the Instant Pot doing most of the heavy lifting, you’ll have a hearty meal ready in no time!
We love the magic of dump-and-go Instant Pot recipes like this one, because these recipes require minimal prep and effort—just toss in your ingredients, set it, and forget it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful Comfort: The combination of bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar creates a rich, savory sauce that perfectly coats the pasta and chicken, making every bite a burst of flavor.
- Quick and Easy: With just a few simple steps and minimal prep time, this recipe is designed for busy cooks who want to whip up a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- One-Pot Wonder: Cooking everything in the Instant Pot means fewer dishes to clean up, making it a win-win for any home chef.
Helpful Tips
- Bacon Crispiness: For the best flavor, ensure you sauté the bacon until it’s nice and crispy before removing it from the pot. This step not only adds depth to the dish but also allows the bacon fat to flavor the onions and garlic.
- Pasta Cooking Time: Make sure to submerge the pasta as much as possible in the liquid before sealing the Instant Pot. This ensures even cooking and helps prevent any pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Let It Rest: After pressure cooking, allow the dish to sit for a few minutes before serving. This resting time allows the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together beautifully, resulting in a creamy, luscious pasta dish.
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Ingredients
- 3 strips bacon chopped
- 1/4 cup onion chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 12 ounces chicken thighs chopped
- 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 tablespoons Ranch seasoning
Instructions
- Turn on saute mode on the Instant Pot. When hot, add the bacon and saute until crispy. Transfer the bacon out of the pot.
- Add the onion and saute for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the broth and deglaze the bottom of the pot to remove all the browned bits.
- Add in the cream cheese and heavy cream. There’s no need to stir.
- Add in the chicken and rotini. Submerge the pasta as much as possible in the liquid.
- Close the lid of the Instant Pot and seal the vent. Pressure cook on high for 6 minutes.
- When done, allow steam to release naturally for 5 minutes before releasing the remaining pressure.
- Turn off the Instant Pot and open the lid.
- The pasta will be quite liquidy at this point. It will thicken as it rests.
- Stir in the cheese and Ranch seasoning. Let sit for 5 minutes. Once thickened, add in the bacon, stir, and serve.
Nutrition
Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes.