This chicken bacon ranch casserole is the kind of dinner you make when you want something quick and easy that is cozy, filling, and guaranteed to be a hit. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with shredded chicken, crispy bacon, pasta, and just the right amount of ranch flavor.

It’s easy enough for a weeknight, comforting enough for a Sunday dinner, and flexible enough to make ahead which is exactly what we want from a good casserole.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This chicken bacon ranch pasta bake is a hearty dinner recipe everyone will love! Here is everything you’ll need:

• Butter: Forms the base of the sauce and adds richness while helping create a smooth, creamy texture.
• Garlic: Adds savory depth and aromatic flavor that enhances the cream sauce without overpowering it.
• Flour: Thickens the sauce, creating a creamy, cohesive base that coats the pasta and chicken evenly.
• Heavy Cream: Provides richness and body, giving the casserole its signature creamy, comforting texture.
• Chipotle Lime Ranch: Adds tangy ranch flavor with a subtle smoky kick, balancing the richness of the cheese and cream.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhance and balance all the flavors, ensuring the dish doesn’t taste flat.
• Chicken: Adds hearty protein and makes the casserole filling and satisfying.
• Small Shells Pasta: Holds onto the creamy sauce thanks to its shape, delivering flavor in every bite.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts smoothly and creates that stretchy, gooey texture everyone loves.
• Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp, bold flavor that balances the creaminess of the sauce.
• Bacon: Brings smoky, salty crunch that contrasts perfectly with the creamy casserole.
• Parsley: Adds a fresh pop of color and a light herbal finish to balance the richness.

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This easy teriyaki chicken recipe is one of those recipes I keep in my back pocket for busy nights when I want something comforting but don’t want to think too hard about dinner. It’s sweet, savory, glossy, and comes together quickly with simple pantry ingredients. No store-bought sauce here!

If takeout teriyaki is your usual go-to, this homemade version is going to surprise you. It’s faster than delivery, easy to customize, and one of those meals everyone at the table is happy to see.

The Best Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Cade loves sushi. Like, loves it. I think it is horrid. Wait, I know, you all love it too, but I just can’t jump on that bandwagon. I kind of want to, but at this point I’m just trying to find ways to survive. For example, I adore Cade and because he loves sushi I love going out with him for it.

The only stinky part is that then I sit there with nothing to eat, so I generally try to get a teriyaki chicken bowl or something similar. I loved an easy teriyaki chicken bowl growing up and remember how I told you about our teriyaki chicken quesadillas? Yeah, pretty much delicious. So why have I never posted such an easy and delicious recipe?!

I think the real secret to teriyaki chicken, other than a good sauce, is actually the meat you use. Everyone goes for breast meat, which is awesome and leaner, but it’s all about them thighs! Chicken thighs are more moist and work so well with the teriyaki sauce.

In fact, maybe I should ask if they could make a teriyaki chicken sushi roll!!! GENIUS! Oh, wait, except I don’t love the seaweed. Dagnabit! See! I’ve tried to like the stuff. Any recommendations on what kind I should try that would be better for me to ease into? And in the meantime, bust out our easy teriyaki chicken bowl for the fam!

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A one-skillet dinner that’s healthy, easy AND flavorful?! That’s right, this cheesy chicken, sweet potato and kale skillet meal is nutritious and delicious, just the way a busy weeknight meal should be!

Easily one of my go-to meals lately, my savory chicken and sweet potato recipe is packed with kale, veggies and protein.

There’s a lot of talk about perimenopause lately, so I wanted to create a dish that is not only perfect for busy families, but also something to help support those feeling like they might be entering perimenopause in their 30s and 40s. Heck, it’s a great recipe for menopause too! I love how healthy and balanced this meal is!

Ingredients for Healthy Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet

• Chicken Breasts: Main protein; provides heartiness, structure, and a mild flavor that carries the spices.
• Salt and Pepper: Core seasonings; salt enhances natural flavors, while pepper adds gentle heat and balance.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds smoky depth and warmth without spiciness, complementing the bacon and sweet potatoes.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Brings a touch of heat to brighten the dish and balance the sweetness of the potato.
• Bacon: Adds savory richness, smokiness, and a crisp texture that contrasts with tender chicken and vegetables.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing; carries flavors, prevents sticking, and adds a subtle fruitiness.
• Garlic: Infuses the skillet with aromatic depth, boosting the savory base of the dish.
• Sweet Potato: Adds natural sweetness, creaminess, and substance, balancing the spice and savory flavors.
• Chicken Broth: Keeps the skillet moist, helps cook the sweet potatoes, and builds a flavorful base.
• Kale: Provides a slightly bitter, earthy contrast, plus color, texture, and nutrients.
• Lemon: Adds brightness and acidity at the end, cutting through richness and making flavors pop.
• Parmesan: Adds a salty, nutty finish that melts into the skillet for extra umami and richness.

How to Make Chicken Kale Skillet

1. Prep the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces and season with all the seasonings.
2. Cook the Bacon: Cook the chopped bacon in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Remove to a plate.

These delicious Greek Chicken Meatballs are full of so much flavor, and more importantly, they are so moist! They are so easy to make with ground chicken, feta and a secret to moisture, zucchini! No dry meatballs here!

These are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Serve the meatballs with a generous scoop of homemade tzatziki , pearl couscous and fresh tomatoes!

Why You’ll Love This Greek Chicken Meatball Recipe

Family-friendly Mediterranean recipe

Quick and easy for weeknights – less than 30 minutes!

Light but still flavorful

High in protein, low in carbs

Makes a great main dish or a fun appetizer

Ingredients for Greek Chicken Meatballs

• Milk: Adds moisture and helps soften the breadcrumbs so the meatballs stay tender instead of dense.
• Italian Breadcrumbs: Bind the mixture together and give the meatballs structure while soaking up flavor from the seasonings.
• Ground Chicken: The base protein—lean, mild, and perfect for carrying all those fresh Greek flavors.
• Feta: Adds creamy, salty pops of flavor and helps keep the meatballs moist.
• Zucchini: Grated zucchini sneaks in extra moisture (so the chicken doesn’t dry out) plus a little hidden veggie goodness.
• Lemon: Both juice and zest brighten the flavors, balancing the richness of the chicken and feta with fresh, citrusy notes.
• Egg: Acts as the “glue” to bind everything together so the meatballs hold their shape.
• Garlic: Adds savory depth and that classic Mediterranean flavor.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors so the meatballs don’t taste bland.
• Fresh Mixed Herbs (dill, mint, parsley): Bring freshness and authentic Greek flavor—each herb layers in something unique.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and balance to the savory flavors.
• Olive Oil: Helps the meatballs get golden brown on the outside.

How to Make Greek Chicken Meatballs

1. Soak the Breadcrumbs: Combine the milk and breadcrumbs in a bowl and let them sit for a few minutes.
2. Combine: Add all the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine thoroughly.
3. Form: Use a cookie scoop to form meatballs that are similar in size. Coat your hands in a little olive oil and then roll the meatballs in your hands.
4. Bake: Cook in the air fryer preheated to 400℉ for 11 minutes or in the oven on a baking sheet (also at 400℉) for 12-15 minutes.

What to Serve with Greek Chicken Meatballs

We love to eat these meatballs

Busy Day Ground Beef and Potatoes

This simple and delicious one pot recipe features ground beef and potatoes cooked together with flavorful seasonings for an easy and hearty meal. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!

This is a recipe Cade and I would make when we first got married and lately I’ve been in the biggest cooking rut. It’s not even that I don’t want to cook, it’s just that nothing feels inspiring and nothing sounds good. So, I’ve been going back to my roots and making some simple comfort foods that everyone will eat and take no brain cells from me.

Ingredients for Ground Beef and Potatoes

Onion and peppers taste good when you pair them with classic ground beef and potatoes! We add a few seasonings and you have an easy ground beef dinner recipe they whole family will love. Here are all the ingredients you need:

• Canola Oil: helps cook the potatoes until golden and crispy
• Yukon Gold Potatoes: you can peel them or not and dice them into 1/4-inch cubes
• Ground Beef: I usually go with 85/15 for good flavor. You can use more lean ground beef if desired, or substitute it with ground turkey or ground chicken.
• Onion: just a yellow onion works great
• Red Bell Pepper: you could also grab a yellow or orange bell pepper
• Worcestershire Sauce: adds rich umami flavor
• Ketchup: adds flavor and a touch of sweetness
• Liquid Smoke: adds smokiness
• Dijon Mustard: adds flavor
• Seasonings: Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Dried Oregano, Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper
• Parsley: adds a fresh pop of flavor

How to Make Skillet Ground Beef and Potatoes

You only need one pan to make this family-friendly meal! Grab your cast iron skillet and let’s get cookin’!

1. Brown the Potatoes: Add oil to a large cast iron skillet and heat over high heat. when the oil is shimmering, reduce the heat to medium high and add the potatoes. Season them with salt and stir to coat. Let them cook until browned, stir often until the potatoes are tender.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: Remove the potatoes from the skillet and add the ground beef and break it up to cook.
3. Sauté the Onions and Peppers: Push the meat to the sides of the pan and add the onions. Stir until they soften and then add the bell peppers and cook until soft. Drain any grease if needed.
4. Combine: Add all the rest of the ingredients (including the potatoes) to the large skillet and continue to cook until the potatoes are tender.
5. Season: Give the dish one last hit of salt and pepper until you get the flavor you want. Serve it hot and top it with some fresh parsley.

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