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This easy Cheesy Crack Chicken Cassserole recipe is an unforgettable comfort food dinner that the whole family will love. It’s loaded with tender shredded chicken, creamy ranch sauce, gooey cheddar, and crispy bacon, and it comes together in just about 35 minutes. Totally doable on a busy weeknight!
Chicken casseroles are just as perfect for weeknights as they are for potlucks and parties! Try my Million Dollar Chicken Casserole and Ultimate Chicken Casserole next.
Why you’ll love this creamy chicken casserole!
Getting my whole family to agree on dinner isn’t always easy. But there are NO complaints when this easy crack chicken casserole is on the menu.
Everyone always goes back for seconds and it’s rare that we have any leftovers. (My son is a football player—he’s got a big appetite!)
Here’s what makes it such a win:
- Super simple: This dish takes about 5 minutes to prep, and you can mix everything in one bowl. Once everything is in the casserole dish, the oven does the rest.
- Family-friendly: With chicken, bacon and cheddar cheese, even picky eaters can’t resist.
- Awesome for leftovers or making ahead: This casserole reheats beautifully or it can be portioned out for later.
- Ready in just 35 minutes: Some casseroles require a lot of prep work and a long time in the oven, but this one is quick with easy prep!
If you try this recipe and love it, I know you’ll love this Crack Dip too!
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
You will just need a few common ingredients you can find at your local grocery store!
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Shredded Chicken – Cooked chicken breast works great with this recipe.
- Cream Cheese – Make sure you take the cream cheese out early to soften.
- Ranch Seasoning Mix – Use a premade seasoning packet found near the salad dressings in the grocery store.
- Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup – Or use this Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup.
- Sour Cream – I use full-fat sour cream, but reduced fat will also work.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese – Sharp cheddar will add a little more oomph than mild cheddar.
- Cooked Bacon – I’ve used leftover Million Dollar Bacon in this recipe and it is phenomenal!
- Cooked Pasta – I recommend using macaroni, rotini, or penne pasta.
Variations
- Make a crunchier topping: Combine 2 cups Ritz cracker crumbs and ⅓ cup melted butter, and sprinkle the mixture on top of the casserole in place of the shredded cheese before baking.
- Use rotisserie chicken: A rotisserie chicken takes the fuss out of the recipe. Use 4 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken instead of the cooked chicken breast.
How to Make Crack Chicken Casserole
- Make the sauce: Preheat the oven to 375ºF and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Combine the cream cheese, ranch, chicken soup, and sour cream in a large bowl, then stir in the milk.
- Add the casserole ingredients: Fold in the chicken, cooked pasta, shredded cheese, and bacon. Mix until all the ingredients are fully coated.
- Assemble: Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with cheese and bacon.
- Bake: Bake the casserole for 25-30 minutes, until it is bubbly and the cheese has melted on the top. Let the casserole cool slightly and top with green onions for garnish before serving.
Serving Suggestions
As the ultimate comfort food, this dish is rich and creamy. I like to pair it with something light to balance out the meal. Here are some of my favorite options:
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- To Reheat: The casserole can be reheated in the microwave. Place in a microwave-safe dish and reheat for 30-second increments until fully warmed. The casserole can also warmed up in the oven at 350ºF.
- To Freeze: Any leftovers can easily be frozen. Store it in a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze it for 2-3 months. Thaw the casserole by placing it in the fridge the night before you want to serve it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The name comes from the fact that crack chicken is addictive! Once you start eating it, you just can’t stop. And you’ll want to make it again and again!
Yes, you can. Prepare the casserole up to the point of baking, cover and refrigerate. When ready, uncover, bake an additional 5-10 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
I would replace the cooked pasta with roasted or steamed cauliflower or cauliflower rice to lower the carb count.
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Easy Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe
Equipment
- Baking Dish
- Mixing bowls
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup (10.5 ounces)
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- ½ cup cooked bacon crumbled
- 2 cups cooked pasta
- ½ cup green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning mix, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in the cooked shredded chicken, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon (reserve some for topping), and cooked pasta. Mix until everything is well-coated.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and any reserved bacon.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly golden on top.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. If desired, sprinkle with sliced green onions before serving.
Video
Notes
- Shred your own cheese: Freshly grated cheese will melt smoother and gooey-er into the casserole. It’s worth it if you have the time!
- Keep it from sticking: Don’t be stingy when it comes to adding the nonstick spray to the baking dish. This will ensure the casserole will be easy to serve and won’t get stuck in the dish.
- Don’t let the top overcook: If top cheese starts browning too quickly, tent foil over the dish and finish baking.
This looks like such an easy comfort meal, everything in one dish.
Love an easy casserole recipe!
These look so good 😍
I can’t stop thinking about how good this was! Saving it to make again soon.
I was looking for a creamy chicken casserole and this one was amazing. I love that it comes together easily and my kids loved it!