If you haven't tried a meal like this Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese, you're missing out! It's a fun and creative twist on classic macaroni and cheese that's sure to please both kids and adults alike. Creamy and bursting with flavor, this is a recipe you'll definitely want to add to your weekly dinner rotation.
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The sharp cheese sauce pairs perfectly with the tender pasta, juicy chicken, and savory bacon. The ranch seasoning adds a delicious touch to the casserole, tying all the flavors together beautifully!
If you like bacon and ranch recipes, you will love Bacon Ranch Potatoes and Bacon Ranch Cheese Balls.
Why You'll Love This Chicken Mac and Cheese Recipe
- Kid-approved: If you have macaroni and cheese-loving little ones, they are going to adore this recipe.
- Prepare ahead: It's super easy to prepare the components ahead of time, making mealtime hassle-free.
- Makes great leftovers: The mac and cheese reheats very well, making it perfect for leftovers to enjoy for dinner or lunch the next day.
Ingredients
Here is everything you need to make this super simple dinner. Chicken and mac and cheese are a delightful combination, and this recipe adds flavor bombs like ranch seasoning, bacon, and 3 types of cheese for the ultimate comfort food.
- Pasta: Use any short variety of pasta for this recipe, such as shells or rotini. I used elbow macaroni to give it the classic mac and cheese vibe.
- Half and half: This adds a rich and creamy factor to the cheese sauce.
- Ranch seasoning: To give this chicken mac and cheese a prominent ranch flavor, I use a packet of ranch seasoning.
- Cheese: I use a combination of mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan. They all melt well and add great flavors to the dish. Mozzarella is a mild and creamy cheese, while cheddar and parmesan have a sharper flavor.
- Chicken: You can cook and shred chicken breasts for this dish, or you can buy precooked chicken (like a rotisserie chicken) and then shred the meat.
- Bacon: I like to cook and crumble fresh bacon for this chicken and bacon mac and cheese casserole. I also add bacon bits on top as a garnish.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Try using my air fryer rotisserie chicken to make this recipe. Take a look at my step-by-step guide on how to carve a rotisserie chicken to maximize the amount of meat that can be harvested.
Variations
- Buffalo Mac and Cheese with Chicken: Stir in your favorite buffalo sauce for a spicy version.
- BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese: Add some BBQ sauce for a bold and smoky chicken mac and cheese.
- Ham and Chicken Mac and Cheese Casserole: Swap the bacon for diced ham to keep the salty flavor but with a different texture.
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese
This chicken macaroni casserole with bacon and ranch is so easy to make. To get started, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Then, cook your pasta until 1 minute before it reaches al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1-2 cups of the pasta water.
Step 1: Make a roux. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour, and cook the mixture for about 1 minute.
Step 2: Add the half and half. Gradually whisk in the half and half (about ¾ cup at a time) until all of it has been added. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then simmer for about 2 minutes. Be sure to stir it often.
Step 3: Add cheese. Stir in the parmesan cheese, 1 cup of cheddar, and 1 cup of mozzarella. Remove the saucepan from the heat, and continue to stir until all the cheese is fully melted.
Step 4: Stir in the chicken, bacon, and pasta. Add the shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, and cooked pasta to the cheese sauce.
Step 5: Transfer to a casserole dish. Pour the mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Step 6: Top with cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and mozzarella on top.
Step 7: Bake. Put the casserole in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. The cheese should be melted and bubbly.
Step 8: Garnish and serve. Top the finished casserole with crumbled bacon bits and freshly chopped parsley for color if desired, and enjoy!
⭐ Hint: The reserved pasta water is for the cheese sauce. If you find it to be too thick for your liking, add a little bit of the water at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy Slow Cooker Chicken Bacon, Ranch Tater Tot Casserole, Jalapeno Mac and Cheese, Crockpot Chili Mac, Mac and Cheese Meatloaf, Cream Cheese Mac And Cheese, or Skillet Mac and Cheese.
Storage Directions
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers of this chicken bacon mac and cheese in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or up to one month in the freezer. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven.
- Reheating: Use a microwave to reheat individual portions. It should only take 1-2 minutes on high.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the components and then transfer to the casserole dish. Instead of putting it in the oven, cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. I recommend letting it sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes to allow it to come to room temperature. Then, follow the cooking instructions but you may need to extend the cooking time by 10-15 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
- A vegetable side dish is perfect to cut through the richness of this dinner. You should try these Brussels Sprouts, Garlic Butter Carrots, or Easy Green Beans.
- Side salads are always a great accompaniment. This Mixed Green Salad with Fruit and Nuts is one of my favorite simple salad recipes.
- Go all out and enjoy an Orange Gin and Tonic Cocktail as a tasty adult beverage with this macaroni and cheese.
Expert Tips
- Shred the cheese yourself: Shredding your own cheese, rather than using pre-shredded, helps it melt better since it doesn't have an anti-caking coating.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Cook the pasta just until it's nearly al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Overcooking may result in a mushy texture.
- Use an oven-safe skillet: Instead of transferring the casserole to a baking dish, leave it in a large oven-safe skillet and bake it in the oven.
Recipe FAQs
Sure! Prepare all of the ingredients as listed in the recipe card, but instead of putting it in the oven, transfer it to your crockpot. Top it with the shredded cheese and cook on high for 1-2 hours or on low for 3 hours. Once the cheese is melted and all of the ingredients are hot, it's ready.
Yes! Shred and add them to the mac and cheese the same way as the chicken breasts.
I like using half and half for its richness, but you can use milk instead. The cheese sauce may be a little thinner, so I would add a touch more cheese to thicken it up.
Video
More Delicious Mac and Cheese Dishes
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Chicken Ranch Mac and Cheese with Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow pasta uncooked
- 3 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups half and half
- 1 1-ounce package ranch seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded and divided
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese shredded and divided
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- 3 cups chicken cooked and shredded (3 breasts)
- 10 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- crumbled bacon bits
- freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
- Cook pasta 1 minute less than package directions for al dente and drain, saving 1-2 cups pasta water.
- During the time the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large saucepan with deep sides. Add all-purpose flour and cook and stir for 1 minute over medium heat.
- Slowly whisk in half-and-half about ¾ cup at a time. Once all liquid is added, bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes, stir regularly.
- Add sea salt, ground black pepper, and ranch seasoning.
- Remove from heat then stir in Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of each cheese-mozzarella and cheddar cheese, until melted.
- Add the shredded chicken, cooked pasta and bacon and stir to combine.
- Transfer to prepared baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella and cheddar. Bake, uncovered, for about 15-20 minutes, until bubbly and cheese is melted.
- Garnish with additional bacon and freshly chopped parsley, if desired.
Video
Notes
- Shred the cheese yourself: Shredding your own cheese, rather than using pre-shredded, helps it melt better since it doesn't have an anti-caking coating.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Cook the pasta just until it's nearly al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Overcooking may result in a mushy texture.
- Use an oven-safe skillet: Instead of transferring the casserole to a baking dish, leave it in a large oven-safe skillet and bake it in the oven.
Andrew says
Very easy and deelicious! Highly recommended.
Karin and Ken says
You just made my day. Thank you for taking the time to comment. All the best. Karin