Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos – The Ultimate 20-Minute Dinner Everyone Will Love

If you’re looking for the ultimate crowd-pleasing dinner, look no further than Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos. They combine three comfort food powerhouses—tender chicken, smoky bacon, and creamy ranch—tucked into a warm tortilla with all your favorite toppings.

These tacos are everything you crave in one bite: creamy, cheesy, crispy, and full of flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights, game-day parties, or when you just want to switch up your usual taco routine, Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos come together in under 20 minutes and will disappear even faster.

Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or hosting taco night with friends, this easy recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Why You’ll Love Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos

• Fast & Easy: Ready in 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.
• Family-Friendly: Loved by both kids and adults—no spicy ingredients, just creamy, savory flavor.
• Customizable: Add veggies, change up the cheese, or make it low-carb with lettuce wraps.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Make the chicken and bacon ahead and assemble when ready to eat.
• The Flavor Combo: Juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and cool ranch—the holy trinity of comfort food!

Ingredients for Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos

For the Taco Filling:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts – cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon – cooked and crumbled
• ½ cup ranch dressing (plus more for drizzling)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack

For Serving:

• 8 small flour or corn tortillas
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 medium tomato – diced
• ¼ cup red onion – finely chopped (optional)
• Fresh cilantro – chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the Bacon
   Start by cooking the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled, crumble and set aside.
2. Cook the Chicken
   Drain most of the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving about 1 tablespoon for flavor. Add olive oil and chicken pieces. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
3. Add the Ranch & Bacon
   Reduce the heat to low. Stir in ranch dressing and half of the crumbled bacon. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend and the sauce to coat the chicken beautifully.
4. Warm the Tortillas
   Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave for a few seconds until soft and pliable.
5. Assemble the Tacos
   Spoon the creamy chicken mixture into each tortilla. Top with shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, remaining bacon, and an extra drizzle of ranch.
6. Serve & Enjoy!
   Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired and serve immediately while warm and melty.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos

Quick, creamy, and full of flavor, these Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos combine juicy chicken, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and ranch dressing in a warm tortilla for the ultimate comfort dinner.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8 tacos

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex

Calories: 310

Ingredients

  

Taco Filling

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
• 0.5 cup ranch dressing plus more for drizzling
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack

For Serving

• 8 tortillas flour or corn
• 1 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 tomato diced
• 0.25 cup red onion optional, finely chopped
• fresh cilantro optional garnish

Equipment

• Skillet
• Tongs
• Mixing bowls
• Paper towels

Method

 

1. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove and crumble.
2. Add olive oil and chicken to the same skillet. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook for 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through.
4. Stir in ranch dressing and half the crumbled bacon. Simmer for 1–2 minutes.
5. Warm tortillas and fill with the chicken mixture.
6. Top with shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, remaining bacon, and extra ranch.
7. Garnish with cilantro if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut. Make a spicy version by adding buffalo sauce.

Tips for Perfect Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos

• Use rotisserie chicken for an even faster version—just toss shredded chicken with warm bacon and ranch in a skillet.
• Crisp your bacon well so it adds crunch against the creamy ranch.
• Homemade ranch? Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, garlic powder, and dill for a fresh flavor boost.
• Don’t skip the cheese. It melts into the warm chicken and gives every bite a gooey, savory richness.
• Low-carb option: Use large lettuce leaves or low-carb tortillas for a lighter version.

Variations

1. Buffalo Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos:
   Add 2 tablespoons of buffalo sauce to the chicken mixture for a spicy kick.
2. BBQ Ranch Tacos:
   Stir in 1 tablespoon of BBQ sauce along with the ranch for smoky-sweet flavor.
3. Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla Twist:
   Use the same filling between two tortillas, add cheese, and cook until golden on both sides. Slice and serve with extra ranch.
4. Grilled Version:
   Grill seasoned chicken breasts, slice thinly, and toss with crispy bacon and ranch for a smoky outdoor flavor.

How to Store and Reheat

• Refrigerate: Store leftover filling in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Freeze the cooked chicken mixture (without lettuce or toppings) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheat: Warm in a skillet over low heat or microwave for 30–45 seconds, then assemble fresh tacos.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos with:

• Side Dishes: Mexican rice, cilantro lime rice, or roasted corn salad.
• Drinks: Sparkling lemonade, iced tea, or a crisp lime margarita.
• Extra Sauces: Jalapeño ranch, chipotle mayo, or avocado crema.

These tacos are also great for party platters—just serve the filling in a slow cooker to keep it warm and set out all the toppings for a build-your-own taco bar.

Why This Recipe Works

What makes Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos so irresistible is the contrast of textures and flavors. The warm, savory chicken and crispy bacon are balanced by cool ranch dressing and crunchy lettuce. The mild spices enhance the flavor without overpowering it, while the melted cheese ties it all together.

It’s comfort food wrapped in a tortilla—simple, delicious, and guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Nutrition (Per Taco)

• Calories: 310
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Protein: 22g
• Fat: 17g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 70mg
• Sodium: 460mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 2g

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something quick, comforting, and downright addictive, Chicken Bacon Ranch Tacos are the answer. They’re perfect for weeknights when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.

Every bite delivers creamy, crispy, and savory perfection—and they’re guaranteed to make any taco night extra special. Once you try them, they’ll become a go-to recipe in your dinner rotation.