Description
Creamy BBQ ranch chicken casserole brings comfort and zest to dinner tables with its rich blend of smoky flavors and hearty ingredients. Cheesy layers and tangy sauce make this dish a crowd-pleasing marvel that will satisfy your craving for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 4 slices bacon
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
Flavor and Seasoning:
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (rotini or penne)
- 2 green onions
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare pasta following package instructions until al dente.
- Render bacon in a skillet until perfectly crisp, then drain on paper towels and crumble into rustic pieces.
- Using the same skillet, sauté chicken pieces until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, seasoning with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
- Combine cooked pasta, seared chicken, and crumbled bacon in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Pour BBQ sauce and ranch dressing over the mixture, gently folding ingredients to ensure even coating and distribution.
- Transfer the integrated mixture to a greased casserole dish, spreading evenly across the surface.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the entire casserole, creating a complete coverage.
- Place in preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a luxurious golden-brown finish.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest for 2-3 minutes to settle flavors.
- Garnish with freshly chopped green onions for a vibrant, fresh accent before serving piping hot.
Notes
- Customize the sauce by mixing different BBQ sauce brands for a unique flavor profile.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of ranch dressing to reduce calories and add protein.
- Swap chicken for rotisserie chicken to save cooking time and add extra flavor depth.
- Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free pasta and checking BBQ sauce ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg