Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
Chicken bacon ranch pizza is smothered in ranch dressing & loaded with chopped chicken, crispy bacon, mozzarella, & muenster cheese for a fun deviation from standard pizza. It’s gooey, delicious and elevated enough to serve to guests or enjoy on the couch during the game.
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Don’t you get tired of pepperoni? Of sausage?
And worse yet: Of buying a half-cold boxed something that was hot and ready only to find out it’s not hot and you’re not ready for what’s in that box because it tastes like plastic.
I remember those days–but making pizza at home is simple once your ingredients are ready and you’ll love the flavor of this one.
When did chicken bacon ranch pizza come out?
The exact origin of chicken bacon ranch pizza is not entirely clear. The idea might have born when Domino’s started offering Ranch as a dipping sauce in 1994 but who knows.
All we know is that chicken bacon ranch pizza gained popularity during the late 20th century as a flavorful twist on traditional pizzas and has since become a beloved choice for lots of pizza lovers out there.
What’s on chicken bacon ranch pizza?
Chicken bacon ranch pizza uses a standard dough, replaces the red sauce with ranch and adds savory toppings. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Dough. The dough for chicken bacon ranch pizza is just a standard pizza dough. Pick up a pre-made dough, buy a frozen dough ball, or make your own. My recipe for homemade pizza dough is super straightforward and the results make the perfect base for this unique pizza.
- Sauce. The star of chicken bacon ranch pizza is the creamy ranch dressing. It adds a tangy, savory note to the overall flavor profile of the pie and is such a fun break from a more traditional pizza sauce. You can use a bottle if you do that, but I always prefer homemade ranch.
- Toppings. The toppings really just take this pizza to a whole new level. The dough is generously layered with succulent pieces of chicken, crispy bacon, and a variety of cheeses. I used mozzarella and muenster but feel free to experiment.
You have a general outline for this phenomenal pizza but the beauty of making pizza at home lies in the freedom you have to customize it.
You may want to include Roma tomatoes and garlic sauce like Papa Murphy’s or perhaps opt for a garlic parmesan white sauce instead of ranch like Domino’s. Make any adjustments that make you happy!
Is this chicken bacon ranch pizza recipe keto?
Not as is, but it can easily be adapted to a keto diet. Just use an almond or cauliflower crust and grilled, baked, or boiled chicken.
Want to pack even more protein in there? Try a low-carb chicken crust made from shredded chicken, cheese, seasoning, and egg to hold it together. It might sound crazy but they are actually super tasty and surprisingly easy to make.
What you’ll need for this recipe:
Tips for making chicken and bacon ranch pizza
It might seem intimidating to make your own chicken bacon ranch pizza from scratch but, trust me, you can do it and it’s totally worth it. Here are a few helpful tips to help you get the best results possible.
- For gluten-free (and low carb). For those of you trying to avoid gluten and/or carbs like I do, almond flour or cauliflower crust recipes can be a game-changer. Plus, they’re absolutely delicious.
- Make your own ranch mix. Looking for better flavor and a healthier outcome? Forget the additive-loaded store-bought versions and try my homemade ranch dressing mix instead. You could also make a ranch like the one in this recipe.
- High heat. You want to preheat your oven as hot as it will go. The heat will help create a crispier crust and will get the cheese perfectly bubbly.
- Try using a pizza stone. To achieve that coveted crispy crust, consider using a pizza stone. It will help distribute heat evenly, resulting in the perfect crust texture. Place the pizza stone in the oven as it preheats and, when it comes time to pop the pie in, arrange it directly on the stone (careful not to burn yourself) and bake just as you normally would. A pre heated large cookie sheet turned upside down could also work here.
- Don’t overload the pizza. While it might be tempting to pile on the toppings, it’s best to exercise some self-control. Too many toppings can lead to an unevenly cooked pizza with a soggy crust.
- Make life a little easier. Short on time? Use flatbread, a wrap, or naan instead of pizza crust for quick and easy, satisfying results.
How to cook chicken for pizza
Any cooked chicken works here–store bought or homemade. Get to know your options:
Store bought rotisserie:
I don’t love the junk in rotisserie chicken. If you check the label you’ll see a long list of sugars, flavoring and texturizers. It’s more chemicals that it is chicken, but if you want that simply shred the meat from one whole chicken.
Boiled chicken breasts or thighs:
Boiling chicken breasts or thighs is really quick and simple. You can also boil them frozen in about 30-ish minutes or so. I have more tips on boiling chicken to shred in this post.
Oven roasted in bulk:
I love the hands-off approach to roasting chicken in the oven and then shredding it. You lose less flavor compared to boiling and you can season the chicken before baking. I like to bake several breasts, shred and freeze what I don’t need. Get the steps for baking chicken to shred here.
How to make chicken bacon ranch pizza step by step
Step 1: Saute onions in a skillet with a bit of oil. I use avocado or a bit of butter but whatever you want to use is fine. Get ’em good and soft and set them aside.
Step 2: Spread your pizza dough out into a 16-inch circle or whatever shape you want to do. I often use a rectangular cookie sheet and just shape the dough to fit.
Step 3: Spread with your choice of ranch dressing. Get a nice layer on there but not so much that it gets greasy as it bakes.
Step 4: Top with cheeses. The Muenster cheese is amazing here. Try not to skip it.
Step 4: Add the toppings including chicken, bacon and onions and bake hot and fast until it’s golden brown and the cheese is melted.
How long is chicken bacon ranch pizza good for in the fridge?
Leftovers? Fear not. Allow any extra slices to cool completely before sealing them in an airtight container and storing them in the refrigerator. The pizza will be good there for up to 4 days.
When you’re ready to dive in, pop a slice in the microwave for a minute or so. You could also reheat a slice or two in the oven at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes.
What to serve with chicken bacon ranch pizza
Looking for the perfect side to serve with this mouthwatering pizza? Here are some of my favorites.
More pizza (and pizza-ish) recipes and guides
It’s hard not to develop a voracious pizza craving when you’ve got this glorious recipe on your mind. Good thing I’ve got you covered with these other awesome pizza-inspired posts and recipes. Happy cooking!
- How to Knead Dough
- Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza
- Skillet Pizza Rolls
- Pizza Baked Chicken Breasts
- French Bread Pizza
- Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
Ingredients
- 1/2 red onion sliced thinly
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 recipe homemade pizza dough or your favorite frozen dough thawed
- 2/3 cup homemade ranch dressing or your favorite bottled dressing
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded from a block
- 1 1/2 cups muenster cheese shredded from a block
- 1½ cups chopped cooked chicken
- 4 strips bacon cooked and crumbled
Instructions
If using onions:
- In a medium skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium and add the onions. Cook stirring often until the onions are very soft–6 to 8 minutes. Set aside.
For the pizza:
- Preheat the oven to 425.
- Roll or stretch your dough to a 16 inch circle.
- Layer on the ranch, cheeses, chicken, cooked bacon and onions and bake until the cheese is melted and the pizza is golden brown–12 to 15 minutes depending on the pizza size and crust thickness.
About the Author
Rachel Ballard, RN, BSN brings more than 20 years of professional nursing expertise to Feast and Farm. With a love for nutrient dense foods that support wellness, she works to distill complex health information and current trends into recipes that fuel the best version of yourself. Read more about Rachel here.