Description
Comfort meets flavor in this bbq ranch chicken casserole recipe, blending creamy textures with tangy ranch and smoky barbecue notes. Ranch and cheese lovers will appreciate its hearty, satisfying profile that delivers maximum taste with minimal preparation effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups (710 ml) chicken breast, shredded or cubed
- 8 ounces (227 grams) pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 cup (240 ml) BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) ranch dressing
Cheese and Protein:
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
Additional Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup (75 grams) frozen corn (optional)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) chopped fresh cilantro (optional for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light grease coating.
- Cook pasta until al dente, drain thoroughly, and set aside for later incorporation.
- Combine shredded chicken with tangy BBQ sauce, creamy ranch dressing, diced red onion, and sweet corn in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Fold in half of the cheese varieties, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.
- Introduce cooked pasta to the mixture, gently stirring to coat every pasta piece with the flavorful sauce.
- Season the blend with salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Carefully transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese across the top, creating a generous coverage.
- Crumble bacon over the cheese layer for an added crispy texture and smoky flavor.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly surface.
- Remove from oven and garnish with fresh, chopped cilantro for a bright, herbal finish.
- Serve immediately while hot and cheese is still gooey.
Notes
- Customize the BBQ sauce to control spice levels, using mild or hot varieties depending on personal preference.
- Swap chicken for rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken to save time and add extra flavor depth.
- Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free pasta and checking that BBQ sauce is certified gluten-free.
- Balance the richness by adding fresh chopped vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for extra nutrition and crunch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg