Description
A hearty comfort dish that combines smoky barbecue sauce, creamy ranch dressing, tender chicken, pasta, bacon, and cheese baked to golden perfection. Perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or potlucks.
Ingredients
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 large breasts), cut into bite-sized cubes
12 ounces rotini or penne pasta (about ¾ of a standard box)
1 cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
¾ cup ranch dressing
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
½ cup diced yellow onion
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, garnish)
Instructions
Prepare Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, about 1 minute less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add cubed chicken, salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet.
Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
Mix Sauce: In a bowl, whisk BBQ sauce and ranch dressing until smooth.
Assemble Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, vegetables, half the sauce, and 1 cup cheese. Transfer to greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Layer & Bake: Spread remaining sauce over mixture. Top with remaining cheese and bacon. Bake uncovered 20–25 minutes until cheese melts and edges bubble.
Finish: Rest 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
Slightly undercook pasta so it finishes baking without becoming mushy.
Adjust sweetness or tang of sauce by choosing different BBQ brands or adding hot sauce/vinegar.
Letting the bake rest after cooking helps flavors settle and prevents burning from molten cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 960 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: <0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: BBQ Ranch Chicken Bake, barbecue ranch casserole, cheesy chicken pasta bake, smoky chicken ranch dinner