Description
Hearty crack chicken casserole brings comfort and flavor to dinner tables across America. Creamy, cheesy layers promise a satisfying meal that home cooks and families will savor together.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 ounces bacon
Dairy:
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
Seasonings and Extras:
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 pound pasta (optional)
- 2 green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F and prepare chicken breasts by poaching or baking until fully cooked and tender.
- In a large mixing bowl, whip cream cheese until smooth, then incorporate ranch seasoning and sour cream, blending until creamy and well integrated.
- Shred or chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and crisp bacon until it reaches a golden, crunchy texture.
- Fold the shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, and cooked pasta into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring every ingredient is evenly distributed.
- Transfer the combined mixture into a greased casserole dish, spreading it uniformly to create an even layer.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown surface and bubbling edges that indicate perfect doneness.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle and casserole to set.
- Garnish with finely chopped green onions, adding a fresh, zesty accent before serving hot.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked and shredded for maximum tenderness and easy mixing.
- Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives for a celiac-friendly version of the dish.
- Reduce calorie content by using low-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Customize heat levels by adding red pepper flakes or hot sauce for spice lovers.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg