Bacon Ranch and Cheese Chicken Baked Ziti
This Bacon Ranch and Cheese Chicken Baked Ziti combines tender seasoned chicken, crispy bacon, ziti pasta, ranch seasoning, cream cheese, and plenty of cheddar in a rich, creamy baked pasta casserole.
Equipment
- large skillet
- large bowl
- whisk
- 13×9-inch (3-quart) baking dish
- oven
Ingredients
- 3 cups ziti pasta, uncooked
- 12 slices bacon, baked until crispy and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 1/2 lbs uncooked chicken, cubed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 oz package dry Ranch Mix, optional
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
- cooked bacon
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cook and drain pasta as directed on the package. I prefer to cook it al dente, and 1 minute less than what the package suggests.
- Add the cubed chicken to a large skillet with some oil, season with salt, pepper and paprika. Cook stirring frequently, until golden and no longer pink in the center. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet on medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter.
- Stir in flour, whisking until a paste forms.
- Gradually stir in milk, beating with the whisk to combine. Stir in Ranch Mix and garlic. Reduce the heat to low and stir in cream cheese until fully combined. Stir in 3 cups of cheddar cheese. Remove from heat.
- In a large bowl, combine: cooked pasta, chicken, and cheese mixture. Stir well to combine and transfer to a 13×9-inch (3-quart) baking dish.
- Top with the cooked bacon, 1 cup shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the mixture is bubbly and the cheese is fully melted. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Cook the pasta about 1 minute less than the package directions for al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. This helps prevent the pasta from becoming too soft while baking.
Cheddar cheese, bacon, and ranch seasoning can be salty, so homemade ranch seasoning can be used for better control. Avoid pre-shredded cheese because added anti-clumping ingredients can hinder melting. Cut the chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces so it cooks evenly. Cover the top with foil if needed to prevent burning, but uncover for the last 15 minutes so the top can brown and crisp.