Description

This Crack Chicken Casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and savory baked dish featuring tender chicken breast pieces mixed with ranch seasoning, cream cheese, and sour cream, combined with shell pasta and crispy bacon. Finished with gooey cheddar and mozzarella cheese, this comforting casserole is perfect for family dinners or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Dairy and Seasonings

1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese (softened)
1 cup sour cream
1 (1-ounce) package Ranch Seasoning Mix
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (freshly shredded)
1 cup mozzarella cheese (freshly shredded)

Meat

2 pounds chicken breast (cut into 1-inch pieces)
6 slices bacon (cooked until crisp and chopped)

Pasta

8 ounces shell pasta

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside for later use.
Mix Cream Cheese Base: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and spreadable. Add the sour cream, ranch seasoning mix, salt, and black pepper, stirring until the mixture is fully combined and creamy.
Coat Chicken and Bake: Add the diced chicken breast pieces to the cream cheese mixture and stir until all chicken is well coated. Transfer this mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes to start cooking the chicken.
Cook Pasta: While the chicken bakes, boil the shell pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set it aside.
Combine Ingredients: Remove the casserole from the oven and gently stir the chicken mixture. Fold in the cooked pasta and the chopped, crispy bacon. Add half of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese, stirring until the cheeses begin to melt into the mixture.
Add Toppings and Finish Baking: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until bubbly. Then switch the oven to broil on high and broil for about 3 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and bubbly. Watch closely to avoid burning.
Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with freshly sliced green onions for a pop of color and mild onion flavor. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy crack chicken casserole!

Notes

For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cream cheese, sour cream, and cheeses.
You can substitute shell pasta with other small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or rotini.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
Make sure not to overcook the chicken during the first bake to keep it tender.
Broiling time may vary depending on your oven; keep a close eye to prevent burning.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6th of recipe)
Calories: 520 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 720 mg
Fat: 32 g
Saturated Fat: 17 g
Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 38 g
Cholesterol: 140 mg

Keywords: crack chicken casserole, creamy chicken pasta bake, cheesy chicken casserole, ranch chicken recipe, comfort food casserole