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Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is creamy, cheesy and full of the classic chicken bacon ranch flavor! Making this in the Instant Pot couldn’t be easier, this is a Dump and Start pasta dish that will be ready to eat in 20 minutes flat!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is make in the Instant Pot.

Chicken Bacon Ranch BLISS

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you probably know that I worked at Subway while in high school. (Side note: you HAVE to try my copy cat version of their Raspberry Cheesecake CookiesTo-die-for.)

Every shift we could buy one item half off. Early on, the Chicken Bacon Ranch became a favorite of mine. A coworker even bet that I couldn’t down an entire Chicken Bacon Ranch footlong in my 15 minute break.. you know I wouldn’t bring that up if my barely-over-5-foot high school self didn’t succeed, right? 😉

As I was cooking the other day, some 8 years later (I don’t know how it’s been so long), an idea struck; Chicken Bacon Ranch PASTA. Aka marrying my favorite carb with my favorite sandwich.

The results were phenomenal.

This picky eater friendly meal is made in the Instant Pot, full of chicken chunks, bacon bits and ranch flavor.

Dump and Start Instant Pot Meal

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta falls into one of my favorite categories: Dump and Start.

Dump and Start meals are the best because there is NO prep work involved. You literally dump everything into the Instant Pot and go.

My Creamy Ziti recipe, which is a Dump and Start meal, is the most popular recipe on my site as of right now. That meal is seriously tasty, too.  Just like Olive Garden’s 5 Cheese Ziti… Okay, I am getting side tracked here. 🙂

Bacon bits on top of a made from scratch ranch alfredo sauce covered linguine pasta with chunks of chicken all cooked in the Instant Pot.

Tips for Successful Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

There are a few tips, must do’s, can not’s and just info that will make your life a little easier while making this Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta. Read on.. 🙂

  • The chicken is cooked in the pot right alongside the pasta. Make sure the chicken is cut into 1 inch cubes to insure even cooking through all chicken chunks.
  • The chicken chunks all do much better on the BOTTOM of the pot, underneath the pasta. If the chicken sits on top, the pasta directly underneath is pushed down and can’t move around and cook properly.
  • Make sure that all pasta is COVERED with liquid. If it isn’t covered, it won’t cook properly.
  • No, you can’t use regular milk or half ‘n half. If you are looking for a lighter alternative, check out this Skinny Alfredo recipe- just add ranch dressing mix, chicken and bacon!
  • Microwave bacon has come a long way, buy some. Use it in this recipe. It will make your live a million times easier.
  • Only use Shredded Parmesan Cheese- that is the real stuff. NOT Grated (powdered) Parmesan Cheese. The cheese is used to thicken the sauce at the very end, the powdered cheese won’t thicken the sauce at all. It would just result in lumpy, soupy pasta. Aka yucky.
  • If you have any questions at all, comment below! I will comment back as soon as humanly possible. 😉

Heavy Cream, broth, garlic and ranch dressing mix make up this delicious from scratch sauce.

Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

(Printable Recipe Below)

Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is creamy, cheesy and full of the classic chicken bacon ranch flavor! Making this in the Instant Pot couldn’t be easier, this is a Dump and Start pasta dish that will be ready to eat in 20 minutes flat!

Ingredients

  • 1 chicken breast cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp minced garlic dried
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 lb linguine noodles broken in half
  • 2 tbsp dry ranch mix
  • 3/4-1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup bacon prepped and crumbled

Instructions

  1. Combine broth, heavy cream, garlic, salt and pepper in the liner of the Instant Pot.
  2. Put the 1 inch cubes of chicken into the broth and cream mixture in the  Instant Pot liner. Take care to distribute the chunks evenly around the liner.
  3. Place the broken pasta on top of the chicken in the liquid. MAKE SURE ALL NOODLES ARE COVERED WITH LIQUID. Move the pasta around until they are all covered.
  4. Secure lid in place, make sure the knob is set to seal. Cook on manual HIGH for 6 minutes NPR for 6 minutes and then QR.
  5. The sauce at this point will be very runny, don’t be scared. It is supposed to be that way. 🙂
  6. Stir in the dry ranch dressing mix, mix thoroughly.
  7. Gradually add in the shredded parmesan cheese. Add in small amounts at a time, stirring in-between each addition.
  8. Serve in bowls and top with crispy bacon bits. Enjoy!

Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is creamy, cheesy and full of the classic chicken bacon ranch flavor! Making this in the Instant Pot couldn't be easier, this is a Dump and Start pasta dish that will be ready to eat in 20 minutes flat! |Cooking with Karli| #pasta #instantpot #recipe #dumpandstart #chicken #bacon #ranch

Try these other Dump and Start Instant Pot meals!

Dump and Start Instant Pot Creamy Ziti is saucy, cheesy and delicious. 20 minutes is all you need to make this creamy red sauce and pasta dish!Dump and Start Creamy Ziti
Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches are sandwiches made from shredded beef with melted cheese served on toasted chibatta rolls and dunked in the flavorful Au Jus just before eating.French Dip Sandwiches
No prep Alfredo made in the Instant Pot in under 20 minutes! A dream come true!Dump and Start Alfredo

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5 from 4 votes

Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is creamy, cheesy and full of the classic chicken bacon ranch flavor! Making this in the Instant Pot couldn't be easier, this is a Dump and Start pasta dish that will be ready to eat in 20 minutes flat!
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp minced garlic, dried
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 lb linguine noodles, broken in half
  • 2 tbsp dry ranch mix
  • 3/4-1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup bacon, prepped and crumbled

Instructions 

  • Combine broth, heavy cream, garlic, salt and pepper in the liner of the Instant Pot. 
  • Put the 1 inch cubes of chicken into the broth and cream mixture in the  Instant Pot liner. Take care to distribute the chunks evenly around the liner.
  • Place the broken pasta on top of the chicken in the liquid. MAKE SURE ALL NOODLES ARE COVERED WITH LIQUID. Move the pasta around until they are all covered.
  • Secure lid in place, make sure the knob is set to seal. Cook on manual HIGH for 6 minutes NPR for 6 minutes and then QR.
  • The sauce at this point will be very runny, don't be scared. It is supposed to be that way. 🙂 
  • Stir in the dry ranch dressing mix, mix thoroughly. 
  • Gradually add in the shredded parmesan cheese. Add in small amounts at a time, stirring in-between each addition.
  • Serve in bowls and top with crispy bacon bits. Enjoy!

Notes

You can garnish with fresh parsley if you'd like. 🙂
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Karli Bitner

This blog is a little glimpse into my kitchen, family & life. I hope you’ll giggle the days away with me and enjoy the craziness that goes on at my house. If you are Cookie obsessed like I am, check out my Sister Site, Cookies for Days.

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21 Comments

  1. Can you use other types of pasta with this recipe? I’ve already got some rotini pasta at home and was hoping to use it up, just unsure if the cooking time would need to be changed.

  2. I’m a IP noob. Can this be made in a 3 quart mini? It doesn’t seem like it would overload it but again, I’m a newbie. Can’t wait to try this!

  3. Hi Dean, so sorry it has taken me a while to respond! I have been out of town on business. This will work in your 3 qt! I would suggest doing a controlled quick release of the pressure (turn the knob back and forth quickly while releasing the pressure) instead of just turning the knob and letting the pressure release. Pasta tends to bubble up and get foamy, this will help eliminate any problems. Hope you enjoy!

  4. Hi Rachel- you can actually toss frozen chicken tenderloins on top of the pasta and cook everything at the same time. No need to change the cook time. 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!

  5. 5 stars
    So late to the game on finding this recipe, but my entire family LOVES it! Question: Do you think it would turn out the same with Gluten Free noodles? We have a recent kiddo diagnosed with Celiac Disease.