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
Description
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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Can you half this recipe and do it in a 8qt IP?
Yep! Halve ingredients and keep same cooking time.
Can whole wheat pasta be used? If so, would you need to change the cooking time?
I’ve made this with whole wheat pasta and I have used the same cooking time.
How do I go about doing this recipe on stove top? My friend made it in her instant pot and I need to know how to make it on stove top. I have yet to invest in an instant pot 😅
I would cook pasta in water in a pot. Drain and set aside.
Cut chicken into bite size pieces. And saute in a large pan.
Then pour the pasta into the pan, add in the garlic powder, ranch dressing mix, diced tomatoes, cream cheese and milk. Heat and stir until cream cheese is melted. Add in the spinach and parmesan and bacon. Salt and pepper to taste.
Will the double recipe fit in a 6qt?
I don’t think so. Too much pasta. But perhaps 1 1/2 times the recipe.
Do i needvto adjust anything like the liquid if im not cooking pasta with this dish? Im goingvto use method 2
Yes, don’t add so much broth. Only add 3/4 cup.
Made this tonight, and it was amazing!!! Very tasty!!!
★★★★★
Glad you liked it!
Just checking. The chicken goes in uncooked with uncooked pasta right?
yes that’s right.
I’d like to make this recipe but I have an eight quart ip. Should I do anything different?
★★★★★
nope you can keep the recipe the same.
I made this tonight. It was really good and so easy. I will definitely make this again.
★★★★★
Nice! So happy to hear you liked it. I love this one.
Congratulations 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.
This 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?
★★★★★
You could cook your gluten free pasta on the stove and drain immediately. Then cook the chicken in the ip with the other ingredients.
Yes, that’s what I did and it was so good, just right for me.
★★★★★
oh good!
Thanks so much Marion! We are very excited.
Your story is great. Congratulations.
Thanks so much Barbara!
Hi. I’m making this now as my second recipe in my IP. Should I drain the diced tomatoes before adding? Thanks for your help
No need to drain the tomatoes.
Hi! Could you replace the dry ranch dressing for wet ranch dressing? Thank you!
No, I don’t think that would work. The ranch dressing serves as the seasonings. Plus I think the wet ranch would curdle.
Would cooking time change if doubled in my 8 quart?
Keep the cooking time the same!
Any 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
I 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.
Could I make this in a 3qt? And add the cooked chicken after to save some room?
I bet you could.
I’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!
high!
Can I make this is my crockpot? Any changes needed other than timing?
This 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!
Would 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?
I’m sorry but I don’t know how gf pasta works in the IP! Have you tried it in the past in the IP?
No! I tried and it was a fail!
Mine 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!!!
Really? 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.
I think it should be 4 tsp Better Than Bouillon, not 4 Tbsp. Please confirm, thanks. Recipe sounds delicious.
Okay I’m an idiot. I swear I proofread this 3 times before hitting publish but that one escaped me. Yes 4 tsp.