Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a tasty, cheesy one-pot meal. This easy pasta recipe has a ton of flavor, and is fast to make. If your bacon is cooked, it is a dump and start recipe. Pressure cooker chicken bacon ranch pasta is filling and yummy!
Originally published 1/5/18, Recipe has been updated
Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
So you like bacon, I mean, of course you do, and you want to make something tasty with it. How about Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta! This recipe has lots of flavor, and is very hearty. Best of all, it has bacon in it!
Well, I was going to say it's a one-pot meal, but bacon is better!
I wanted to bring you something a little more hearty. This is like a loaded mac and cheese, with chicken, bacon, and lots of flavor!
There's always room for more pasta, and if it's easy to make, and loaded with great flavor, there's a better chance of the family liking it!
Why cook a pasta dish in the Instant Pot?
I love to cook pasta in my Instant Pot. To me, not having to drain the water, and the pasta soaking up the flavor, are the two big reasons to cook pasta in the pressure cooker!
Plus this is a one-pot meal and it is done in about 30 minutes!
Which pasta works the best in this recipe?
I like to use penne, rotini, or ziti. You can use just about any pasta, as the chicken will cook in a short amount of time, so use what you have!
The ratio of pasta to liquid is important, so make sure you are using 16 oz for this recipe. You can't go by the cup as different pastas have different shapes/sizes.
Using a nice thick-cut smoky bacon makes this recipe even better. If you don't have that kind, any bacon you have will do.
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Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta has great flavor, and is a hearty pasta meal. A casserole style dish in less time than baking in the oven.
- 6 slices Thick Cut Bacon, cooked or uncooked, cut in bite-sized pieces
- 3 Tablespoons Butter, unsalted
- 4 cups Chicken Broth, low sodium
- ½ cup Heavy Cream or Half and Half, (more if you like it saucier)
- 1 packet Ranch Dressing Powder (3 Tbsp)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 16 oz Penne Pasta (or rotini, ziti, etc.)
- 2 (8 oz) Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (cubed slightly larger than bite sized)
- 8 oz Cream Cheese, cubed
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded (optional)
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Prepare all of the ingredients before you start. Cut the bacon and chicken, have the butter measured. Shred the cheese, and measure out the ranch & garlic powders, broth, and pasta. It will make the cooking process much easier and faster. Less stress!
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If you have uncooked bacon: Turn on the Sauté function (Normal/Med heat). Add the chopped bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until done. Remove to a paper towel and drain all of the fat from the pot. Set aside.
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Add the butter and a splash or two of the broth to the pot and stir, scraping the bottom of the pot so you can to get up all of the brown bits (fond).
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Add the broth, heavy cream, ranch powder, and garlic powder, and stir well.
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Add the pasta and stir.
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Add the chicken and the cubes of cream cheese. Don't stir, but gently push down, using a spoon, to submerge the chicken and pasta.
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Cancel the Sauté function.
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Place the pressure cooker lid on the pot and turn the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
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Press Pressure Cook or Manual button, and then the + or - button to choose 5 minutes. Your pasta may need a different time. Usually half the time on the package directions.
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When the cooking cycle ends, do a controlled Quick Release of the pressure, just until you are sure no sauce will spew out with the steam, then turn the knob all the way and let it all out.
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When the pin in the lid drops down, open it and give the contents a stir. It will be fairly soupy at this point.
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Stir in the cheese and let it melt.
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Stir in the bacon. Mix well. It will thicken as it cools.
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Serve warm.
This pasta dish will thicken as it cools. To reheat you may need to add a little broth, milk, or water.
RESOURCES TO MAKE Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe and More
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Stephanie
Can you use regular milk instead of half and half?
Sandy
Yes you can!
Angela
I made this tonight...it's quite good! I should've cut the recipe in half since it's just me, but I like to follow recipes as written the first time I make them. Now i'm wondering if it'll freeze well since rotini is a more solid pasta.
Kim
Can I use frozen chicken breasts? How should I adjust the cook time, or will the noodles be over cooked?
Sandy
Hi Kim, yes you can use frozen chicken. I would try using the same cook time and see how it turns out. Often frozen chicken will cook in the same amount of time. It's more about the size of the pieces.
Donnie
I have not tried the recipe yet, but just wondering why bring the liquid up to a boil before starting the pressure cook? Wont the liquid mixture boil almost immediately once the top is locked and heat is being added to build pressure? Does the pasta need that bit of extra time in boiling water to be done in 5 minutes or something?
Generally recipes like this seem to be deglaze and immediately then throw in everything in and start the pressure cook, so I was curious.
Sandy
Hi Donnie. The reason I like to bring the contents to a boil is to speed it up and reduce the possibility of the burn error. It will come to pressure much quicker and you will have great results. You don't HAVE to do it this way to have good results, but this method helps.
Donnie
Thanks for the quick reply yesterday. It allowed me to make it last night. I avoided the boiling step and used evaporated milk instead of half and half to make it slightly not as unhealthy but otherwise followed the recipe. It ended up much soupier for us than the picture, but I actually think that was a positive. My wife and I loved it.
Sandy
I'm glad you liked it. Often times when it is soupy it's due to not enough pasta. I always weigh mine to make sure. But since you like the soupy consistency, that great! Thank you for letting me know.
Veronica Covington
Thank you so much for this Delicious recipe! I am an Instant Pot newbie and this recipe could not have been easier. I did not change a thing and it was PERFECT!! My family loved it as well!
Sandy
I'm glad you liked this recipe, Veronica! Thank you for your review, and have fun with your pressure cooker!
Whitney Harris
Can I halve this recipe? I know the instant pot requires so much liquid so I wanted to make sure it would work!
Sandy
Yes you can. Just keep the proportions the same, and cook time the same as well. Enjoy!
Trina
This recipe was great... easy instructions and dinner was done!
Sandy
That's what I like to hear! I'm happy you liked it, Trina! Thank you for your review!