Description
Hearty crack chicken casserole brings comfort and satisfaction to dinner tables across America. Creamy, cheesy goodness combines simple ingredients for a quick family-friendly meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) cream of chicken soup
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (penne or rotini), cooked and drained
- 1 packet (1 ounce/28 grams) ranch seasoning mix
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the culinary workspace by heating the oven to a precise 350°F (175°C), ensuring an ideal cooking environment.
- Create a creamy base by whisking cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, and ranch seasoning until thoroughly integrated and smooth.
- Introduce cooked chicken, crispy crumbled bacon, tender pasta, and half of the sharp cheddar cheese into the mixture, gently folding to ensure complete and even coating.
- Carefully transfer the combined ingredients into a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking vessel, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Generously sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese across the top, creating a luxurious melted cheese crown.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
- Once removed from the oven, optionally garnish with freshly chopped green onions to add a vibrant, aromatic finish before serving the comforting dish.
Notes
- Swap cream of chicken soup for a lighter, homemade version to reduce processed ingredients and sodium content.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a protein-packed, lower-fat alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- Create a gluten-free version by using gluten-free pasta and checking ranch seasoning ingredients for potential gluten sources.
- Boost vegetable content by mixing in roasted broccoli, spinach, or diced bell peppers for added nutrition and color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 438 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 740 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg