Description
Comfort meets culinary magic in this irresistible Crack Chicken Casserole, blending creamy textures with savory chicken and crispy bacon. Hearty flavors and simple ingredients promise a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cooked bacon
Dairy Components:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 2 tablespoons green onions (for garnish)
- 1 cup pasta (optional for a heartier meal)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F and coat a baking vessel with a light layer of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine softened cream cheese, zesty ranch seasoning, tangy sour cream, and sharp cheddar cheese in a spacious mixing bowl, whisking until smooth and well-integrated.
- Fold in tender, shredded chicken pieces and crispy, crumbled bacon, reserving a portion of bacon bits for a final garnish.
- If incorporating pasta, gently mix pre-cooked noodles into the creamy chicken blend, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly to create an even layer.
- Sprinkle additional shredded cheese and reserved bacon crumbles across the top for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and bubbling edges that indicate thorough heating.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes to allow flavors to settle and mixture to set.
- Finish by scattering freshly chopped green onions over the top for a bright, fresh garnish before serving.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting ranch seasoning or adding mild hot sauce for extra kick.
- Swap full-fat ingredients with low-fat alternatives to create a lighter version without compromising flavor.
- Prep chicken ahead of time by using rotisserie or pre-cooked shredded chicken to reduce overall cooking time.
- Transform into a gluten-free option by ensuring ranch seasoning and bacon are certified gluten-free and using gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg