Description
Bacon Ranch Chicken Mac Cheese Bombs bring comfort and excitement to your dinner table, turning classic mac and cheese into crispy, cheesy parcels that disappear faster than you can say “seconds, please!” Packed with creamy pasta, tender chicken, and crisp bacon, these little flavor bombs are sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups macaroni
- 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
Coating Ingredients:
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix 2 cups cooked macaroni, 1 cup shredded chicken, 1 cup cheddar cheese, ½ cup ranch dressing, and ½ cup crumbled bacon in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Whisk 2 eggs in a separate small bowl for coating. Grab a handful of the macaroni mixture and shape into compact 2-inch balls.
- Dunk each macaroni ball completely into the beaten eggs, ensuring full coverage.
- Roll the egg-coated ball in a mixture of 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, salt, and black pepper until fully breaded.
- Place each breaded ball 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake at 375°F for 22 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even browning.
- Remove from the oven when the exterior turns golden and crispy with a crunchy texture.
- Let the mac and cheese bombs rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the interior to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Ensure the macaroni is well-drained to prevent soggy bombs that fall apart during baking.
- Shred the chicken finely and chop bacon into small pieces so each bite has balanced flavor and texture.
- Refrigerate the mixture for 15 minutes before forming balls to help them hold together more easily during coating and baking.
- For gluten-free options, swap regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko or crushed pork rinds for a crispy exterior.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 412 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg