Chicken Ranch Macaroni and Cheese (2024)

Chicken Ranch Macaroni and Cheese is a pile of ranch-seasoned cheesy elbow macaroni topped with ranch-seasoned chicken and crumbled bacon. You are sure to get ranch flavor in every bite of this pasta dish! Be sure to check out my Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Shells for another flavorful chicken and pasta dish.

Chicken Ranch Macaroni and Cheese

Here in the Midwest, we love our ranch dressing! In fact, I have my own homemade ranch seasoning mix that would work perfectly in this recipe, as well as a homemade ranch dressing. The ranch flavor pairs perfectly with chicken, and when added to the cheesy pasta, it’s a dish that ranch-lovers will love!

Chicken Ranch Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

There are two parts to this recipe–the seasoned chicken and the macaroni and cheese.

You will want to make sure you have your pasta cooked al dente and drained, as well as your bacon cooked and crumbled ahead of time.

PRO TIP: I prefer to NOT mix the chicken & bacon into the macaroni and cheese. I tested this recipe several times by adding all ingredients together and found that it wasn’t as flavorful, the cheesy macaroni drowns out that fabulous ranch chicken. I highly recommend serving as shown and allowing the family to mix ingredients in their bowl should they prefer that method.

How to Make Chicken Ranch Macaroni and Cheese

To make the macaroni and cheese, first, wipe out the skillet you just used to cook the chicken; you will be using that for this part of the recipe as well. Over medium heat, melt the butter in the wiped out skillet. Add the flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture gets brown.

Remove the skillet from the heat and slowly pour in the warm milk. Whisk continuously, returning the skillet back to the heat. Whisk for another 3-5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens. Add the salt, garlic powder, and ranch seasoning mix, stirring to combine. Remove from the heat for the last time.

Finally, add both kinds of grated cheeses and stir until the cheese melts. Pour the cooked noodles into the sauce. Stir some more, and then top with the cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, and chopped parsley. You may want to add some salt and pepper, to taste. Enjoy with a side of dinner rolls and roasted parmesan green beans for a complete meal.

How to Cook the Chicken

To cook the chicken that will top the cheesy ranch macaroni, first cut the chicken breasts into cubes. After you have cut the chicken into cubes, combine it with the ranch seasoning mix in a large bowl. Next, heat up the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Once the oil is hot, add the cubes of chicken in batches. (Don’t try to get all the chicken cooked at once.) Cook 1-2 minutes per side of the cubes. The chicken should be golden brown and have an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and use aluminum foil to form a tent over the chicken to keep it warm as you make the macaroni and cheese.

Can I Make Chicken Ranch Macaroni and Cheese Ahead of Time?

Yes! This macaroni and cheese can definitely be made ahead of time and frozen. This nice thing is, you can even freeze it in individual containers for easy to grab lunches or dinners. Make sure you let the cooked macaroni and cheese cool completely before packaging it for the freezer.

To freeze, double wrap the macaroni in cheese in plastic wrap. Then, cover it in aluminum foil. Label and date the packaging; it will be good for up to 3 months in the freezer. To reheat, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Heat it up in the microwave or bake it in the oven, covered, until it is warmed up.