Description
Crack Chicken Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, bacon-loaded easy dinner that is perfect for busy weeknights, cozy family meals, and make-ahead comfort food. This easy recipe combines tender shredded chicken, ranch seasoning, cream cheese, sour cream, and melty cheddar for one of those dinner ideas everyone wants seconds of. It is rich, hearty, and packed with flavor, making it a great choice for easy dinner nights, food ideas for gatherings, and simple comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
3 cups cooked shredded chicken
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1 packet ranch seasoning mix
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 tablespoons chopped chives or green onions, divided
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups cooked pasta or steamed broccoli, optional
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth.
3. Add the shredded chicken, 1 cup cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, most of the bacon, most of the chives, and the cooked pasta or broccoli if using.
4. Mix until everything is evenly coated in the creamy mixture.
5. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish.
6. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and the rest of the bacon.
7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted.
8. Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with the remaining chives before serving.
Notes
Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe even faster and adds great flavor.
For a lower-carb version, skip the pasta and use steamed broccoli.
Do not overbake or the casserole can lose some of its creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: 145mg