Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese is filled with chicken, bacon and flavorful hints of ranch dressing. It turns macaroni and cheese into a one-dish-meal.

Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese Recipe

I can’t imagine anyone would bat an eye at our house if we had macaroni and cheese daily. Whether in the form of muffins, jumbo lump crab macaroni and cheese or good ole Southern style macaroni and cheese. This chicken bacon ranch version makes a one-dish-meal but, you can up the ante by serving it with a crisp fresh wedge salad and warm bread to round out the menu.

Quick Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese Recipe

See the simple steps it takes to make this casserole. Scroll down for the full printable recipe.

• Prepare Baking Dish – Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
• Cook Pasta – Cook the macaroni in salted water per the package directions until al dente. Drain well, pour into a mixing bowl and set aside.
• Make Sauce – In a saucepan melt butter then add add flour, salt and black pepper. Mix until the flour has been absorbed by the butter stirring constantly.
• Add Milk – Gradually whisk in the milk. Whisk constantly to prevent clumping. Bring to a boil then immediately lower the heat to low. Simmer gently bubbling, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Cream Cheese – Turn off the heat. Add the cream cheese to the sauce. Stir until melted. 
• Shredded Cheese and Ranch Seasoning – Add shredded cheese and dry Ranch dressing. Stir until fully combined.
• Combine – Pour the sauce over the macaroni. Add chicken, bacon and chives. Mix until evenly coated.
• Transfer to Dish – Pour 1/2 into baking dish. Top with shredded cheese. Repeat with macaroni then top with shredded cheese. Dot the top with butter.
• Bake – Place into the oven and bake until the top is golden and the edges are bubbly.
• Serve immediately garnished with reserved bacon crumbles and chives.

How to Make the BEST Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese Recipe

• Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese: One pound regular or jumbo elbow macaroni, bacon, light or regular butter, all purpose flour, garlic salt, black pepper, milk, chive and onion cream cheese, shredded colby-jack cheese, one packet dry Ranch dressing seasoning, roughly chopped rotisserie chicken, chopped chives.
• Kitchen tools you’ll need: Pasta pot, cheese grater, skillet, 13×9 inch baking dish, sharp knife and cutting board, measuring cups and spoons.
• I made this dish with ridged jumbo elbow macaroni. You can certainly adapt using regular elbow macaroni.
• You can add a little kick to the dish by using shredded pepper jack cheese in place of cheddar.
• No chive and onion cream cheese? You can use the same amount of plain cream cheese.
• Store baked Chicken Bacon Ranch Macaroni and Cheese chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat in single servings in the microwave.

More Macaroni and Cheese Recipes to Make

• Twisted Macaroni and Cheese uses twisted pasta for a fun take on this classic.
• Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Pie can be served as an entree or a side dish.
• The kids will love these Bacon Macaroni and Cheese Muffins.
• Crab Macaroni and Cheese will turn any occasion onto something special.
• Easy Air Fryer Macaroni and Cheese.
• Impress the family with this Lobster Mac and Cheese.
• Skip the oven and make this Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese instead.
• Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese from Southern Living.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• 13 x 9 inch Dish
• Cheese Grater
• Spatula
• Chopping Board and Knives