Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta–curly pasta is enveloped in a creamy sauce with tender bites of chicken, crispy bites of bacon and a green pop of color from spinach or broccoli. A one pot pasta dish that rivals anything you can order at a restaurant.
Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
This pasta has all the makings of a great meal. Cream cheese. Bacon. Ranch dressing mix. Tomatoes. Pasta. It is seriously so delicious! My whole family asked for seconds. I made it a few weeks ago for the teachers during student-teacher conference week. One of the teachers emailed me and asked me for the recipe! That’s when you know you have a good recipe on your hands.
The really cool thing about this recipe is that there are two ways you can make it. The first way you cook the chicken breasts whole and then slice them. This method is nice if you have frozen chicken breasts and you don’t want to thaw them. I believe that this method lends itself to juicier chicken breasts. The second way takes less cooking time because you cut up the chicken first and then it cooks super fast in your electric pressure cooker.
A few notes about the ingredients…
The noodles: I used trottole pasta that I bought at Smith’s (Kroger). You can also use cavatappi, cellentani or rotini pasta.
The chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts that were uncooked. You can also use frozen chicken breasts. If you’re a dark meat fan you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. In that case I would trim the fat first.
Parmesan: I used pre-grated parmesan that I bought at Costco in a big bag. You can grate your own parmesan or also use the stuff in the green can (although I don’t think that would taste as good).
Spinach or broccoli: I used fresh baby spinach and just stirred it in at the end. You could also use frozen spinach that has been thawed and squeezed of excess moisture. If you’re a broccoli fan you can stir in broccoli florets at the end as well. The broccoli can’t be pressure cooked with everything else because it will turn into mush. You can use fresh or frozen broccoli. If you use fresh broccoli steam it first on the stove top or in the microwave. If you use frozen broccoli place it in a colander and run hot water over it for a couple of minutes. Shake it of the excess water and then stir it into the pot.
Ranch dressing mix: I buy a big can of Hidden Valley ranch dressing mix* and then use it for lots of recipes. You can also just use a packet of the ranch dressing mix. I prefer the Hidden Valley brand to the generic.
Bacon: I cook my bacon in the oven until it is crispy and then cut it with my kitchen shears into big pieces. Alternately, you can also use a package of the real bacon bits that are found in the salad dressing aisle.
More recipes you’ll love…
Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Instant Pot Tuscan Tortellini Soup
Instant Pot Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken
What Pressure Cooker Did You Use?
To make Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. I love this Instant Pot because it has the yogurt making function which I use almost weekly. It has two pressure settings (high and low), and there are also little slots in the handles so that you can rest the lid there instead of putting it down on your counter-top.
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Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
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Pin RecipeDescription
Curly pasta is enveloped in a creamy sauce with tender bites of chicken, crispy bites of bacon and a green pop of color from spinach or broccoli. A one pot pasta dish that rivals anything you can order at a restaurant.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds (24 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs (I used 2-12 ounce chicken breasts)
- 1 pound (16 oz) uncooked trottole, cavatappi, cellentani or rotini pasta
- 4 cups broth or 3 1/2 cups broth (or 4 cups water + 4 tsp Better than Bouillon Chicken Base*)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3 Tbsp dry ranch dressing mix
- 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces (1 brick) cream cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 6 strips of crispy bacon, crumbled (or one 3 ounce package of real bacon pieces)
- 3 large handfuls of baby spinach or 10 ounces of broccoli florets (frozen or fresh)
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
There are two methods of making this pasta. The first way you cook the chicken breasts whole and then slice them. This method is nice if you have frozen chicken breasts and you don’t want to thaw them. I believe that this method lends itself to juicier chicken breasts. This method you’ll need to cook your pasta using the pot-in-pot method. I used this pan* to cook the pasta. The second way takes less cooking time because you cut up the chicken first and it cooks quickly.
Method 1 (good for frozen chicken breasts and if you want juicy, sliceable chicken)
- Add a half cup of water or chicken broth to the bottom of your Instant Pot. Add in the chicken. Lightly salt and pepper the chicken. Pour the pasta into a pan* that fits inside your Instant Pot and then add 4 cups of chicken broth into the pan. Cover the pan with foil. Lower the pan on top of the chicken using a sling or a trivet* with long handles.
- Cover the pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 10 minutes (for thawed chicken) or 12 minutes (for frozen chicken). When the time is up let the pot sit there for 5 minutes (display will say L0:05) and then move the valve to venting. Open the pot.
- Use hot pads to carefully remove the pasta pan. Set it aside. Remove the chicken and slice it up on a cutting board. Discard the cooking liquid in the Instant Pot. Pour the pasta back into the empty Instant Pot and turn the Instant Pot to the saute setting. Add in the garlic powder, ranch dressing mix, diced tomatoes, cream cheese and milk. Stir and let the cream cheese melt. Once the cream cheese is melted and incorporated add in the chicken, bacon, spinach or broccoli (see note) and parmesan cheese. Stir until spinach is wilted down.
- Taste test and add salt and pepper to taste. You may also want to add in additional milk to make it a looser consistency.
Method 2
- Cut your chicken into bite size pieces. In the order listed add chicken, pasta, 3 1/2 cups broth, garlic powder, ranch dressing mix and diced tomatoes into the Instant Pot. Don’t stir.
- Cover the pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 3 minutes for pasta with more bite and 4 minutes for softer pasta. When the time is up let the pot sit there for 5 minutes (display with say L0:05) and then move the valve to venting. Open the pot.
- Turn Instant Pot to the saute setting. Add in the cream cheese and milk. Let the cream cheese melt, stirring often. If the sauce is too runny you can make a cornstarch slurry (stir 2 Tbsp water with 2 Tbsp cornstarch until smooth and then add mixture to the pot). Once the cream cheese is melted and incorporated add in the bacon, spinach or broccoli (see note) and parmesan cheese. Stir until spinach is wilted down.
- Taste test and add salt and pepper to taste. You may also want to add in additional milk to make it a looser consistency.
Notes
I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*.
Spinach or broccoli: I used fresh baby spinach and just stirred it in at the end. You could also use frozen spinach that has been thawed and squeezed of excess moisture. If you’re a broccoli fan you can stir in broccoli florets at the end as well. The broccoli can’t be pressure cooked with everything else because it will turn into mush. You can use fresh or frozen broccoli. If you use fresh broccoli steam it first on the stove top or in the microwave. If you use frozen broccoli place it in a colander and run hot water over it for a couple of minutes. Shake it of the excess water and then stir it into the pot.
To make gluten free: Double check your broth to be sure it does not contain gluten. Substitute noodles for GF noodles and decrease cook time by 1 minute.
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: chicken, instant pot recipe
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*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Nicki says
May 8, 2019 at 6:21 amDo i needvto adjust anything like the liquid if im not cooking pasta with this dish? Im goingvto use method 2
Karen says
May 8, 2019 at 3:08 pmYes, don’t add so much broth. Only add 3/4 cup.
Korrie C says
April 4, 2019 at 6:02 pmMade this tonight, and it was amazing!!! Very tasty!!!
★★★★★
Karen says
April 8, 2019 at 3:13 pmGlad you liked it!
Tricia says
March 25, 2019 at 3:00 pmJust checking. The chicken goes in uncooked with uncooked pasta right?
Karen says
March 26, 2019 at 9:41 amyes that’s right.
Diana says
March 18, 2019 at 6:46 pmI’d like to make this recipe but I have an eight quart ip. Should I do anything different?
★★★★★
Karen says
March 19, 2019 at 11:37 amnope you can keep the recipe the same.
Johnna says
March 10, 2019 at 7:57 pmI made this tonight. It was really good and so easy. I will definitely make this again.
★★★★★
Karen says
March 11, 2019 at 2:16 pmNice! So happy to hear you liked it. I love this one.
Marion Ziegler says
March 8, 2019 at 10:36 pmCongratulations on paying off your house, I am also a Save Ramsey advocate and let everyone know about him. Paid my house off a year ago. Keep the great recipes coming.
PamG says
March 9, 2019 at 9:07 amThis recipe looks fantastic…the only problem is that I can’t eat gluten and often the gf pasta turns to mush or thickens everything! Any alternative suggestions?
★★★★★
Karen says
March 9, 2019 at 9:29 amYou could cook your gluten free pasta on the stove and drain immediately. Then cook the chicken in the ip with the other ingredients.
Rosa Bell says
March 10, 2019 at 10:33 pmYes, that’s what I did and it was so good, just right for me.
★★★★★
Karen says
March 11, 2019 at 3:05 pmoh good!
Karen says
March 9, 2019 at 9:29 amThanks so much Marion! We are very excited.
Barbara says
March 8, 2019 at 6:47 pmYour story is great. Congratulations.
Karen says
March 9, 2019 at 9:30 amThanks so much Barbara!
Elle says
December 7, 2018 at 5:19 pmHi. I’m making this now as my second recipe in my IP. Should I drain the diced tomatoes before adding? Thanks for your help
Karen says
December 9, 2018 at 10:21 amNo need to drain the tomatoes.
Ana says
November 14, 2018 at 8:04 pmHi! Could you replace the dry ranch dressing for wet ranch dressing? Thank you!
Karen says
November 15, 2018 at 10:49 amNo, I don’t think that would work. The ranch dressing serves as the seasonings. Plus I think the wet ranch would curdle.
Mindy says
October 28, 2018 at 2:38 pmWould cooking time change if doubled in my 8 quart?
Karen says
October 29, 2018 at 12:54 pmKeep the cooking time the same!
Missy says
October 28, 2018 at 10:16 amAny way you could adjust this to make ahead like a freezer meal? Wondering if you add broth and noodles day of or if it’s even worth it? Trying to do some batch cooking
Karen says
October 29, 2018 at 1:18 pmI don’t think this recipe would be a good one to make ahead. The pasta and cream cheese seem to make it a bad candidate.
Bridge says
October 26, 2018 at 9:10 amCould I make this in a 3qt? And add the cooked chicken after to save some room?
Karen says
October 26, 2018 at 12:43 pmI bet you could.
Kris says
October 25, 2018 at 5:11 pmI’m about to make this and have a quick question! Do I use high or low pressure setting? Thanks in advance. Super excited to try!
Karen says
October 26, 2018 at 12:49 pmhigh!
West Victoria says
October 25, 2018 at 8:55 amCan I make this is my crockpot? Any changes needed other than timing?
Karen says
October 25, 2018 at 9:00 amThis isn’t a good one for the crockpot. Noodles get mushy in the crockpot in my experience, except for lasagna. You could make it on the stove though!
Cindy S says
October 24, 2018 at 8:25 pmWould this work using a gluten-free pasta, such as rotini? Would I adjust the cooking time or would I need to cook the pasta separately?
Karen says
October 24, 2018 at 8:43 pmI’m sorry but I don’t know how gf pasta works in the IP! Have you tried it in the past in the IP?
Caryn says
December 9, 2018 at 8:23 pmNo! I tried and it was a fail!
Tiffany says
October 24, 2018 at 6:19 pmMine was very runny, like nothing stuck to the noodles and was like soup. I used method 2. Is 3 minutes be accurate time? Help?
Thanks!!!
Karen says
October 24, 2018 at 8:47 pmReally? Weird! Was the pasta cooked through? You can thicken with cornstarch next time if you’d like. Make a cornstarch slurry and stir it in.
Jenny says
October 24, 2018 at 4:17 pmI think it should be 4 tsp Better Than Bouillon, not 4 Tbsp. Please confirm, thanks. Recipe sounds delicious.
Karen says
October 24, 2018 at 4:34 pmOkay I’m an idiot. I swear I proofread this 3 times before hitting publish but that one escaped me. Yes 4 tsp.