Cheesy BBQ Ranch Chicken Pasta Bake

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This is one of those easy dinners that just works.

It’s cheesy, filling, and made with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Everything gets mixed together in one bowl and baked until it’s hot and bubbly, so it’s not complicated at all. Which I love, because nobody has time to be in the kitchen all evening!

If you need something you can throw together without overthinking it, this is a good one to keep in rotation.

It’s perfect if you’ve got some chicken in the freezer you’ve been meaning to use, but you can also swap in rotisserie chicken if you don’t feel like cooking it first.

How to Make A Cheesy BBQ Ranch Chicken Pasta Bake

Ingredients you’ll need

• 3 thin-sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or about 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken)
• 1 lb rotini pasta
• 1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 3 roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup red onion, diced
• 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup ranch dressing
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• Salt and pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Set it aside.

2. Cook the chicken

Heat a little oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Avocado oil is my favorite since it has a higher smoke point.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then cook for about 3–4 minutes per side, until fully cooked through.

Remove from the pan and let it rest for a few minutes, then cut into bite-sized pieces.

3. Cook the pasta

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the rotini according to the package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool it down.

4. Mix everything together

Add the cooked pasta to a large bowl. Stir in the chicken, corn, tomatoes, red onion, and about 1½ cups of the shredded cheese.

5. Add the sauce

Pour in the ranch dressing and barbecue sauce, then mix until everything is evenly coated. Season with a little more salt and pepper if needed.

6. Assemble the casserole

Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese over the top.

7. Bake

Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

What to Serve With This

This is already a pretty filling dinner, so you don’t need much on the side.

Something fresh like a simple green salad or a quick cucumber and tomato salad works really well to balance it out.

If you want a warm side, roasted broccoli, green beans, or asparagus are all easy options.

And if you’re feeding a large family or just want to make it a little more filling, you can always add some garlic bread or dinner rolls.