If you’re looking for a meal that will be a real crowd-pleaser, you can’t go wrong with the triple threat of chicken-bacon-ranch. And if that bacon is Hempler’s, your family will have NO reason to complain at the dinner table.
This post is sponsored by Hempler’s.
Mom, let’s chat for a minute. I know when you’re at the grocery store you’ve got your go-to’s. The things you grab off the shelf because they’re the brands you’ve always bought. I get that it’s hard to go off script because with finicky eaters, one little change can mean a mealtime battle and sometimes you just don’t have it in you. But mama, trust me on this. PUT BACK that thin-cut floppy bacon you buy out of the bargain bin. You know what I’m talking about – the kind that if you hold it up to the light, you can actually see through it. You haven’t lived until you’ve tried the meaty, thick-cut flavor of Hempler’s.
It’s delicious, it’s local, and it’s 100% worth it. I know this from personal experience because I, too, only shopped price. But now I won’t go back and neither will my family. They have several different varieties available, and one that’s really exciting is their Uncured No Sugar Added Bacon. It’s all the delicious flavor you want, with none of the things you don’t!
And now – on to the recipes! These three flavor-packed recipes were all a hit with my family and I bet they’ll be with yours, too!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwiches
Fast, easy, and flavorful. If you’re short on time, this is the perfect dinner solution!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. (3-ish cups) cooked chicken (I just bought it in the deli section of my grocery store)
- 1 brick cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet Spicy Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
- 2 Tb. chives
- 1 C. shredded cheddar
- 6 strips Hempler’s bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 6 crusty rolls
Instructions:
Combine chicken, half the cream cheese, half the ranch mix, chives, cheddar, and bacon in a bowl. Taste; add additional cream cheese and Ranch seasoning according to your preferences (you may use all of it depending on how creamy and/or salty you like your filling).
Slice rolls lengthwise. Spread filling on rolls. Place under low broiler for 2-4 minutes, watching closely. Sandwiches are ready when the bread is toasted and the filling is heated through.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta in the Instant Pot
Need a new Instant Pot recipe that the family will love? This is it!
Ingredients:
- 6 strips of Hempler’s bacon, chopped
- 1 packet Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions:
Set Instant Pot to “saute.” When hot, add bacon and cook until crispy. Remove from Instant Pot and set aside.
Add chicken broth, pasta, chicken, and Ranch seasoning mix to Instant Pot and stir.
Set manual pressure for 1 minute; quick release when done to prevent over-cooking. {Note: This time may vary based upon your brand of noodles and the recommended cook time. Generally, divide the typical boil time in half and subtract 2 minutes, rounding down if you don’t have an even number. I used Barilla Rotini Pasta with a recommended cook time of 7 minutes. 7 divided by 2, minus 2 = 1 and a half minutes. Rounding down to 1 minute, my pasta was perfectly al dente when I opened the pot.}
Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately!
Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Tenders
What kid doesn’t love chicken tenders? These are a little more labor-intensive, but the end result is totally worth it.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken tenders (OR chicken breasts sliced into smaller, thinner pieces)
- 1 C. milk
- 1 Tb. vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 Tb. hot sauce
- 1 packet Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
- 1.5 C. Panko bread crumbs
- 1.5 C. flour
- 1/2 C. cornmeal
- 1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 C. Hempler’s bacon crumbles (cook bacon and crumble finely in food processor)
- cooking spray
Instructions:
Place 1 Tb. vinegar or lemon juice in glass measuring cup. Add enough milk to reach the one-cup line. Allow to sit for 10 minutes. It will curdle and thicken. {Congrats! You just made buttermilk. Alternatively, you could skip this step and just use 1 cup buttermilk.}
Add 1.5 Tb. Ranch seasoning mix and 1 Tb. hot sauce. Mix well, then pour over chicken tenders and allow to marinate. For the best flavor, marinate at least one hour but not more than 24 hours.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix Panko, flour, cornmeal, shredded cheddar, bacon bits, and the remainder of the Ranch seasoning mix in shallow baking dish.
Generously coat rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
Using tongs, remove chicken tenders from marinade and dredge in Panko/flour mixture. Coat well, then place on baking sheet.
Generously spray the tops of the chicken tenders with cooking spray.
Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Flip the tenders, spray the tops with cooking spray, and bake an additional 5 minutes.
Optional: Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end to increase crisping/browning.
Serve with additional Ranch dressing for dipping!
Find Hempler’s in a grocery store near you, and find more fantastic dinner ideas here!
Check out all recipes from our What’s Cookin’ recipe series:
Remember to pin these recipe ideas for later!
