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Baked Mac and Cheese gets a simple comfort food twist by adding chicken, crispy bacon and ranch seasoning!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese

Baked Mac and Cheese gets a simple comfort food twist with chicken, bacon and ranch seasoning!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time :20 minutes
Cook Time :30 minutes
Servings :12 servings
Calories :551
Course :Main Dish

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces macaroni pasta cooked according to package directions
  • 8 slices thick cut bacon cooked and diced,
  • 3 cups chicken, cubed cooked
  • 2 TBSP ranch seasoning mix
  • 3 TBSP unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups 2% milk
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shredded or grated
  • 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded and divided
  • 1-1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded and divided

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 375°. Grease a 9 x 13 or similar size baking dish.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the bacon over Medium heat until crisp. Remove to a plate, pour off grease, leaving 1 TBSP bacon drippings in the pan.
  • Add cooked chicken to the pan. Over medium heat, stir chicken until heated thru. Sprinkle ranch seasoning over chicken and stir to coat. Remove chicken from pan.
  • Over Medium heat, add butter to pan. Once melted, add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Add flour and whisk to form a paste. Slowly add in heavy cream and milk. Whisk to combine. Bring to a low boil and cook 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the liquid is thickened.
  • Turn heat down to low. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, and half each of the mozzarella and cheddar cheeses until melted. Remove the pan from the heat.
  • Add chicken and all but 2 TBSP of diced bacon to the cream mixture. Stir to combine. Reserve 2 TBSP diced bacon for garnish.
  • Pour the cream mixture over cooked pasta and stir gently to coat. Scrape into prepared baking dish.
  • Evenly sprinkle remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese over the cream mixture.  Dot with reserved bacon.
  • Bake on center rack of preheated oven for 30 - 35 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Let pan sit for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts
Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese
Amount per Serving
Calories
551
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
37
g
57
%
Saturated Fat
 
18
g
113
%
Cholesterol
 
114
mg
38
%
Sodium
 
550
mg
24
%
Potassium
 
283
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
 
35
g
12
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
19
g
38
%
Vitamin A
 
875
IU
18
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
191
mg
19
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

© Copyright Christine Mello for Must Love Home. We would love for you to share a link to this recipe but please do not copy/paste the recipe instructions to websites or social media. We are happy for you to share a photo with a link back to this website instead.