Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta

How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta:

Cook the Bacon:

There are a few different ways to cook the bacon. It can be fried on the stove top, microwaved, or baked.

My preferred method is to bake it while the other ingredients are cooking the in Instant Pot. However, for this post, I’m cooking the bacon in the Instant to make a one pot meal.

Turn the Instant Pot on using the “saute” button. I use the lowest saute setting (change the setting by pressing the button multiple times).

When the stainless steel liner gets hot, add the diced bacon. Cook the bacon for 7 to 8 minutes or until the desired crispiness is reached.

Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the liner and drain on a paper towel. Turn off the Instant Pot by pressing the “cancel” button, and wipe any excess grease and browned bits away from the liner.

Cook the chicken:

Press the “saute” button again, and wait for the stainless steel liner to get hot. After it is hot, add the oil and the chicken.

Sprinkle the chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to spread the chicken into an even layer.

Stir the chicken frequently, and cook until it’s white on all sides. The chicken does not need to be cooked completely.

Use a spoon to remove it from the Instant Pot to a waiting bowl separate from the bacon. Press the “cancel” button on the Instant Pot.

Add the Noodles and Broth:

Check to make sure there are no browned bits stuck to the bottom of the liner. If there are, turn it back on to saute, let it get hot, and add 1/4 cup of broth or water.

Using a wooden spoon, gently scrape the bits off the bottom then turn off the Instant Pot.

If there are no browned bits stuck to the bottom of the liner, pour in the pasta noodles and the broth. The broth should just barely cover the noodles.

Add a touch of extra broth if needed to ensure the noodles are covered.

Add the Chicken and Cook:

Place the chicken pieces on top of the noodles in an even layer.

Close the lid, set the valve to “sealing,” and press the manual (pressure cook) button. Adjust the time to 5 minutes.

Add the Remaining Ingredients:

After the time is up, open the valve to release the pressure. Carefully remove the lid, and drain any excess liquid that may be in the bottom of the liner.

Depending on the type and brand of pasta, sometimes there is leftover liquid. If the liquid is not poured off, it can water down the ranch dressing and make a “soupy” pasta.

Add the ranch dressing, cheese, and some of the cooked bacon. You may want to save some bacon as a garnish.

Stir everything together, and serve hot. Add extra cheese, bacon, or green onions as a garnish.

Tips and Variations for Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta:

• We have not tried to double this recipe. If you would like to double it, we recommend doubling all ingredients equally, leaving the time the same, and do not fill the liner above the max fill line.
• Adjust the dressing, cheddar cheese, and bacon to your tastes. Those ingredients do not change the way the dish cooks. On the same note, all of those ingredients may be salty in taste, so consider using a low-sodium broth or water if you’re salt sensitive.
• We have only tested this dish in a 6 Quart Duo Plus Instant Pot. If you have a different size or model, please check the user manual for the proper adjustments in liquid and/or time.
• Short, tube-shaped pasta works best. We like rigatoni, ziti, or penne. Other noodles don’t absorb liquid or cook the same, so results may vary.

More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

• Instant Pot King Ranch Chicken Pasta
• Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup
• Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
• Instant Pot Lemon Chicken