Lunch / Dinner
Instant Pot Chicken, Bacon & Ranch Pasta
If you’re in the camp of preferring creamy, cheesy pasta to tomato-based sauces, Instant Pot Chicken, Bacon & Ranch pasta is sure to be up your alley. With a savory ranch-flavored sauce, plenty of cheese, and chunks of chicken among pasta, this pot of gold, done in just 35 minutes, is sure to be a family favorite.
Ingredients
PREHEAT:
ADD:
STIR IN:
Test Kitchen Tip
Powdered ranch seasoning mix contains powdered buttermilk and an assortment of dried herbs (like dill weed) and seasonings. It’s the perfect ingredient when you want that classic ranch flavor, without the added liquid.
Instructions
Preheat Instant Pot on “Sauté” setting. Cook bacon until crisp; transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
Add oil, chicken, and ranch packet to Pot, stirring to coat. Sear chicken, but do not cook through, 2–3 minutes. Add cream cheese, pasta, broth, and water to Pot.
Close lid, lock Pot, select “Manual” (or “Pressure Cook”) setting and 4 minutes time. Pressure cook pasta until time is up, then quick release and open Pot.
Stir in Colby Jack and bacon until combined; let pasta sit 5 minutes to thicken. Top servings with parsley.
Give the chicken a head start by searing it, but don’t cook it through, otherwise it could become dry.
Add the pasta, then just pour the broth and water over top. There’s no need to stir everything together.
After stirring in the Colby Jack, it will look soupy but will thicken up considerably as it sits.
Nutritional Facts
Nutritional Facts
Per serving
Calories: 688
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 34g 52%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Cholesterol 108mg 36%
Sodium 946mg 39%
Carbs 45g 15%
Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 30g
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.