Description
Hearty Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole delivers comfort and flavor in one incredible dish. Creamy ranch sauce, crispy bacon, and tender chicken combine for a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- 1 cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
Pasta and Seasonings:
- 3 cups cooked pasta (penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley (optional for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 190°C (375°F) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Slice the chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces, ensuring even cooking and tender texture throughout the casserole.
- Crisp the bacon in a skillet until golden brown and perfectly rendered, then chop into small, crunchy fragments.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and sour cream, blending until ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
- Fold in shredded cheddar cheese and diced green onions, creating a rich and flavorful mixture with balanced seasoning.
- Spread the creamy chicken mixture evenly across the prepared baking dish, ensuring a smooth and consistent layer.
- Top the casserole with an additional sprinkle of shredded cheese for a golden, melted finish.
- Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely and the edges turn bubbly and slightly crisp.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the dish to set before serving.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or additional green onions for a vibrant and appetizing presentation.
Notes
- Adjust the baking temperature if using a glass dish to prevent over-browning, as glass conducts heat differently than metal pans.
- Opt for low-sodium bacon and ranch seasoning to control salt intake for health-conscious individuals.
- Make this dish gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives like chickpea or rice pasta.
- Prep ingredients in advance and store in the refrigerator for a quick weeknight meal that saves time during busy schedules.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 576
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg