chicken bacon ranch casserole
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is a comforting, flavorful dish packed with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch seasoning. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it with a side salad for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast shredded or cubed
- 6 slices cooked bacon crumbled
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Chopped green onions
- Crumbled bacon
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s at the perfect temperature when your casserole is ready to bake.
Prepare the Bacon
- If you haven’t already, cook your bacon until crispy, then crumble it into bite-sized pieces. Set it aside. The crispy bacon adds a wonderful crunch to the casserole.
Cook the Chicken
- Shred or cube your cooked chicken breast. You can use leftover chicken or cook it fresh—either way, you’ll want it to be tender and flavorful. Rotisserie chicken works great if you're looking for a shortcut!
Mix the Casserole Base
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, and milk. Stir them together until smooth and creamy. Add in the ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is well incorporated. This will be the rich, creamy base of your casserole.
Combine Ingredients
- Add the shredded chicken and crumbled bacon to the creamy mixture. Stir everything together until the chicken and bacon are evenly coated. Then, fold in the shredded cheddar cheese, reserving a little to sprinkle on top later for that golden, bubbly finish.
Transfer to a Baking Dish
- Lightly grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish and transfer the mixture into it. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly, ensuring every corner is filled.
Bake
- Place the casserole in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly. If you like a crispier top, feel free to broil it for an extra 2-3 minutes at the end. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn!
Serve and Enjoy
- Once it’s out of the oven, let the casserole cool for a few minutes. Top with optional garnishes like mozzarella cheese, chopped green onions, or extra bacon. Serve it hot and enjoy!