Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza is a perfect blend of savory, cheesy, and creamy flavors. It's a crowd-pleaser for game nights, family dinners, or whenever you're craving something indulgent. Plus, it's simple enough to make on a weeknight! This homemade chicken bacon ranch pizza recipe combines ranch dressing as the sauce base, which gives it a creamy twist, while the crispy bacon and tender chicken pack in the protein and flavor. It's the ultimate homemade pizza topped with melted cheese and a homemade or store-bought crust.
Chicken bacon ranch pizza casserole is always a favorite pasta recipe. I love the crock pot version because I can make it the night before and have the kids start it after school. But when pizza night comes around, it is either a four-cheese pizza with mushrooms and bacon or this chicken bacon ranch pizza.
In this post, you'll find step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and even answers to common questions about making the best Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza right at home.
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Ingredients
For this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza, you will need:
For the Pizza Crust:
- 1 package of pizza dough - store-bought pizza dough or homemade pizza dough
- 1 tablespoon olive oil - for brushing the pizza pan
- ยฝ teaspoon garlic powder - optional, for extra flavor
For the Toppings:
- ranch dressing - homemade ranch dressing or your favorite brand, which ours is Hidden Valley Ranch.
- cooked chicken, shredded or diced grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken.
- crispy bacon, chopped
- mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Parmesan Cheese
- ยฝ cup cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)
- ยผ cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- Fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions for How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
Preheat your oven to 400°F and place a pizza stone or jelly roll baking sheet inside to heat up as well. A hot surface ensures a crisp crust.
- Step 1: Brush the pan lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder if you want an extra burst of flavor. Spread the crust out on the pan.
- Step 2: Spread an even layer of ranch dressing across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
- Step 3: Scatter the shredded or diced cooked chicken over the ranch dressing. Sprinkle the crispy chopped bacon evenly over the pizza. Add the thinly sliced red onions for a bit of bite (optional).
- Step 4: Cover the pizza with shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Spread the toppings evenly so every bite is cheesy and delicious.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown. Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color and freshness. Let the pizza cool for 5 minutes, then slice and enjoy!
Hint: Preheating your pizza stone or baking sheet helps create a crispy crust, giving you that professional pizzeria feel at home.
Substitutions
Here are some easy substitutions to fit different tastes or dietary needs:
- Chicken Substitutes: Use cooked turkey for a leaner option. Swap in pulled pork for a richer flavor. Use a plant-based chicken substitute for a vegan or vegetarian version.
- Bacon Substitutes: A lower-fat option that still provides crunch. For a more gourmet taste, use thinly sliced prosciutto.
- Ranch Dressing Substitutes: For a creamy but different base use alfedo sauce. Caesar Dressing adds a tangy twist.
- Cheese Substitutes: Provolone or Monterey Jack for a different, milder cheese flavor.
These substitutions make it easy to customize your pizza to fit dietary preferences or simply change things up!
Variations
Looking to mix things up? Try these three tasty variations of the classic Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza:
- BBQ Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza: Replace half the ranch with BBQ sauce for a smoky flavor. Add caramelized onions and grilled corn. Use a mix of mozzarella and smoked gouda for added depth.
- Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza: Toss the chicken in buffalo sauce. Keep ranch as the base or drizzle on top after baking. Add blue cheese to enhance buffalo flavor.
- Hawaiian Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza Sprinkle pineapple chunks for a sweet-savory combo. Use a light ranch and add ham along with bacon. Stick with mozzarella or add a bit of cheddar.
These quick variations offer new flavors while keeping the ease of the original recipe.
Homemade Pizza Equipment
The right pan matters with this pizza. Here are some recommendations for the right pan in the affiliate link to purchase the equipment.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
If you have leftover pizza, don’t worry! Here’s how to store and reheat it to keep it tasting fresh.
How to Store Leftover Pizza:
- Cool Completely: Let the pizza cool to room temperature before storing it. This prevents moisture buildup that can make the crust soggy.
- Airtight Storage: Place slices in an airtight container or wrap them individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze for Longer Storage: If you want to store leftovers for longer, freeze the slices. Wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen pizza can last up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Pizza:
- Oven Method (Best for Crispiness):
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the slices directly on the oven rack or on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the crust is crispy.
- Skillet Method (Quick and Crispy):
- Heat a skillet over medium heat.
- Place a slice in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Cover the pan with a lid for the last minute to melt the cheese.
- Microwave (Quickest Option):
- Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
- Microwave for 30-60 seconds, checking for desired warmth.
By following these tips, your leftover Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza will taste almost as good as it did fresh from the oven!
Tips for the Perfect Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
- Homemade Ranch: If you have time, make homemade ranch dressing for an extra fresh and tangy kick.
- Crispy Bacon: Make sure to cook your bacon until it's nice and crispy before adding it to the pizza. It adds a delightful crunch and intense flavor.
- Chicken Prep: You can use grilled, rotisserie, or leftover chicken for this recipe. For extra flavor, season your chicken with garlic, onion powder, and paprika before cooking.
- Cheese Combo: Using a mix of mozzarella and paremsan creates a perfect balance of gooeyness and sharpness in every bite. Add Cheddar Cheese for a great variety to the pizza too.
FAQ
Yes, you can prep the pizza dough, chicken, and bacon in advance. Store them in the fridge and assemble right before baking.
Feel free to customize this pizza! Add mushrooms, green peppers, or even jalapeños for a spicy kick.
More Pizza Recipes
Looking for other pizza recipes like this? Try these:
- Sausage and Pepperoni Pull Apart Pizza Bread
- Cucumber Bites - Cucumber Pizza
- Air Fryer Pizza Bites on Naan Bread
- Cheesy Bacon Breakfast Pizza - Easy Breakfast Pizza
Serve with Salads
These are my favorite salads to eat with pizza:
๐ Recipe
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 tube thin crust refrigerator pizza dough
- ยฝ pound bacon fried and crumbled
- 1 ½ cups chicken cooked
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 cups mozzarella shredded
- ½ red onion optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉ and then preheat the 10x15 jelly roll pan.
- Drizzle olive oil and garlic powder on a jelly roll pan. Spread oil and garlic powder around the pan with a paper towel.
- Spread the pizza crust out in the pan. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- Spread an even layer of ranch dressing across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
- Scatter the shredded or diced cooked chicken over the ranch dressing. Sprinkle the crispy chopped bacon evenly over the pizza. Add the thinly sliced red onions for a bit of bite as an optional topping.
- Cover the pizza with shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Make sure the toppings are evenly spread out so every bite is cheesy and delicious. Top with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake on 400 for a 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
- Let sit for a minute before slicing.
Nutrition
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