Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
My cheesy chicken bacon ranch casserole with pasta has crispy bacon and juicy chicken in a homemade ranch cream sauce. This easy recipe is simple enough to pull of on even your busiest weeknights.
I love easy chicken dinners like pot pie , Ritz Chicken, and chicken spaghetti This Chicken bacon ranch casserole is another family fave. The ranch and cheese flavors remind me a lot of my crack chicken recipe too. It tastes amazing and is easy to make too. It is sure to bring your family running to the table, and begging for seconds. When I make casseroles like this (or my chicken noodle casserole), I like to make a double batch of it. One to eat and one to freeze! It requires very little work and it is a simple way to make a meal for another busy night.
Why This Recipe Works: A Sprinkle of Food Science
- High Fat Dairy: This makes the sauce less likely to split or break.
- Color=Flavor: Searing the chicken adds flavor you can't get any other way.
- Save Your Pasta Water: Pasta water contains starch which gives us a silky sauce that clings to every noodle.
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
- Chicken: I like to pop my chicken in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to make it easier to dice. You could also use precooked chicken or even rotisserie chicken.
- Pasta: Farfalle is classic. You could also use rotini, cavatappi, penne, or wagon wheels.
- Bacon: If I'm short on time, I like to use precooked microwave bacon. Hormel Black Label is my go to.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use refrigerated (or freshly grated) parm for the best flavor.
- Cheddar Cheese: Shred your own cheese for the best results. Pre-shredded varieties can have fillers that interfere with smooth melting.
- Garnish: If you don't have scallions, dried chives are a good substitute.
Krystle's Tips: Steal My Culinary School Secrets
- Don't Skip Salting Your Pasta Water: It's the only chance you get to season the noodle themselves. Aim for 1-2 tablespoons per box of pasta.
- Pat Chicken Dry: This ensures a good sear. You can do this in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Slightly Undercook Pasta: It will continue to cook in the oven and we don't want to be mushy.
More Casseroles To Try
Ground Beef Enchilada Casserole
Cheeseburger Tatertot Casserole
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📖 Recipe
Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
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Ingredients
- 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts Diced
- 1 Box Farfalle (Bow Tie) Pasta
- 6 Strips Bacon Cooked Crisp and Crumbled
- 4 Ounces Cream Cheese Softened
- 2 Cups Heavy Cream
- 1 Package Ranch Seasoning
- ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese Grated
- ¼ Cup Butter
- 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese Shredded and Divided
- Scallions For Garnish, If Desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch pan and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to box directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water.
- In a large dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in cream and cream cheese. Stir constantly until combined.
- Add in parmesan and ranch packet. Stir in pasta water as needed to thin the sauce. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
- Place cooked pasta, cooked chicken, ½ of shredded cheddar ,and chopped bacon in prepared pan. Pour in ranch mixture and mix well.
- Top with remaining cheddar cheese, and cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes remove foil for the last 5 minutes.
- Garnish with scallions and enjoy!
Nutrition
I used wide egg noodles instead. Came out great.
I made this chicken bacon ranch casserole and it turned out creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor—everyone loved it!
This bacon ranch casserole is amazing! Such a yummy recipe.
This chicken bacon ranch casserole is amazing! Such a yummy dish.
My whole family loved this chicken bacon ranch casserole! Great flavor and ncie and easy to make.
This casserole was a total hit at dinner last night! The combination of creamy ranch, crispy bacon, and tender chicken is just unbeatable.
This is so, so good. I love all the flavors, and I really love that the kids ate it. Winner!
I added more bacon because my husband is a bacon lover. He actually said to me this is very tasty, you can make this one again. That in itself makes this recipe a keeper!
Hi Theresa!
More bacon is always better. SO glad he liked it said to make it again, that is the sign of a good dish. Thanks for your comment and writing, stop back anytime.
This recipe is a winner for sure! The flavors in this casserole make the entire family happy!
SO yummy and creamy! My family loved it!!! Going to try it with tater tots next!