Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe
This delicious Crack Chicken Casserole combines tender pieces of chicken breast, creamy ranch-seasoned sauce, crispy bacon, and a blend of melted cheddar and mozzarella cheeses baked to bubbly perfection. It’s a comforting and hearty dish perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (1-ounce) package Ranch Seasoning Mix
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 pounds chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
Pasta and Cheese
- 8 ounces shell pasta
- 6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish with non-stick cooking spray; set it aside for use later.
- Mix the creamy base: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it becomes spreadable. Then add the sour cream, ranch seasoning mix, salt, and pepper, mixing until smoothly combined to create the flavorful sauce.
- Coat the chicken: Add the cut chicken breast pieces into the cream cheese mixture and stir well until all chicken pieces are evenly coated in the ranch sauce.
- Bake the chicken: Transfer the coated chicken into the prepared casserole dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through slightly and absorb the flavors.
- Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook the shell pasta following the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Combine and add cheese: Remove the chicken from the oven and gently stir to break up any pieces. Fold in the cooked pasta and chopped crispy bacon, then add half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses and stir to melt slightly.
- Bake and broil: Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the casserole’s top, bake again for 5 to 10 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted, then switch to broil on high for 3 minutes or until the cheese topping is golden and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh finish before serving your creamy, cheesy crack chicken casserole.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is cut into uniform 1-inch pieces to cook evenly.
- Cook bacon until crispy for the best texture contrast in the casserole.
- You can substitute shell pasta with other short pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or penne.
- Broil carefully as cheese can burn quickly; watch closely during the last 3 minutes.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Keywords: crack chicken casserole, creamy chicken casserole, ranch chicken recipe, cheesy chicken bake, bacon chicken pasta
Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/crack-chicken-casserole-recipe/
