Name: Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1 packet ranch seasoning mix; 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup; 1 cup sour cream; 1/2 cup milk; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided); 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled; 2 cups cooked pasta; 1/2 cup green onions (optional)

This quick and easy Crack Chicken Casserole is about to become a weeknight staple. Made with shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, ranch seasoning, bacon, and more, the dish is a perfect comfort food meal.

A wooden spoon scooping out a serving of crack chicken casserole.

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Getting my whole family to agree on dinner isn’t always easy. That’s why they love it when I make this crack chicken casserole. Everyone always goes back for seconds of this casserole dish. It makes the perfect weeknight dinner and pairs well with a lighter side of air fryer sweet potato chips or roasted broccoli.

Like most casserole dishes, it couldn’t be easier to make. Everything mixes in basically one bowl and is topped with cheese and bacon for a filling dinner. You can even use leftover chicken, making it even easier to put together.

Crack chicken casserole on a plate with the casserole dish in the background.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple: This dish takes about five minutes to prep, and you can mix everything in one bowl. Once everything is in the casserole dish, the oven does the rest. It’s just as easy as making my slow cooker crack chicken, but much quicker.
Family-friendly: No one complains when this chicken crack casserole is on the menu for dinner.
Comfort Food: The rich and creamy dish has everything that you love about a comforting dish of food.

Recipe Ingredients:

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

Shredded Chicken – Cubbed chicken breast or leftover rotisserie chicken 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 pack found near the salad dressings in the grocery store.
Condensed cream of chicken soup
Sour cream – I recommend full-fat sour cream, but reduced fat will also work in the recipe.
Milk – I use whole milk, but most dairy-alternative milk will work.
Shredded cheddar cheese
Cooked bacon
Cooked pasta – I recommend using macaroni, rotini, or penne pasta.
Green onions – The green onions are great for garnishing the dish.

Directions for How to Make Crack Chicken Casserole

Step 1. Gather the ingredients needed for the casserole. Preheat the oven to 375 and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.

Ingredients needed to make crack chicken casserole.

Step 2. Combine the cream cheese, ranch, chicken soup, and sour cream in a large bowl.

Ingredients for crack chicken casserole in a bowl.

Step 3. Add the milk to the mixture.

Step 4. Fold in the chicken, cooked pasta, shredded cheese, and bacon. Mix until the mixture is fully coated.

Chicken bacon, pasta, and cheese in a bowl.

Step 5. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with cheese and bacon.

Crack chicken casserole ready to go into the oven.

Step 6. Bake the casserole for 25-30 minutes, until it is bubbly and the cheese has melted on the top.

Step 7. Let the casserole cool slightly and top with green onions before serving if desired.

Finished crack chicken casserole sitting on a wooden cooling tray.

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 cubed chicken breast.
Turn the casserole into a dip. Serve this dish as an appetizer and turn it into crack dip.

Tips for Success

For a fresh cheese flavor, grate your own cheese. The cheese will melt smoother and seamlessly into the casserole.
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.
If the cheese melts and browns too quickly, top the baking dish with foil. Covering it will let the rest of the casserole continue to cook without burning the top.

Crack chicken casserole in a baking dish with a serving taken out.

Serving Suggestions

The dish is heavy and creamy, so I like to pair it with something light to balance out the meal. Here are some of my favorite options.

Storage + Reheating

To Store: Store any leftover crack chicken casserole in an airtight container 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 be placed back in the casserole dish and warmed up in the oven.
To Freeze: Any leftover casserole 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.

A wooden spoon taken a serving out of crack chicken casserole out of a baking dish.

I hope you enjoy this delicious Crack Chicken Casserole! If you give it a try, please share your experience in the comments below. Don’t forget to tag me on social media @allthingsmamma and use the hashtag #allthingsmamma.