This Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is an easy and delicious dinner for those busy week nights. The perfect comfort food and a dinner that won over my entire family! The flavors will be a family favorite for years to come! Tastes just like chicken bacon ranch pizza. Serve with salad, garlic bread, or French fries. Might be good with onions.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 1 (1 ounce) package dry ranch dressing mix (such as Hidden Valley Ranch®)
- 1 pound bacon
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped (Optional)
- 2 (15 ounce) jars Alfredo sauce, divided
- ⅓ cup milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
1Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange chicken on the baking sheet.
2Bake chicken in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
3Dice chicken and place in a bowl; add ranch mix and stir until coated. Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels, reserving bacon grease in the skillet. Crumble bacon into small pieces.
4Heat reserved bacon grease in the skillet; cook and stir bell pepper until slightly tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken, 1 jar Alfredo sauce, milk, and garlic; cook and stir until heated through, about 5 minutes.
5Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
6Pour 1/2 the jar of remaining Alfredo sauce into a casserole dish; top with 1/2 of the penne, 1/2 of the chicken mixture, 1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 of the bacon. Repeat layering with remaining ingredients in the same order ending with 1 cup mozzarella cheese and bacon on top.
7Bake in the preheated oven until casserole is bubbling and cheese is lightly browned, about 30 minutes.
Cook’s Note:
Any variety of pasta can be used in place of the penne. Substitute Italian cheese blend for the mozzarella cheese, if desired.
