Crack Chicken Casserole

Crack chicken casserole is one of those delicious recipes that hits the spot every time. It makes it so easy to get a flavorful dinner that everyone loves, on the table.

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Table of Contents

Easy Chicken Casserole Ingredients
Chicken Crack Casserole Substitutions
How to Make Crack Chicken Casserole
What to serve with this Chicken Casserole
Storing Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole
Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe FAQ
More Recipes You’ll Love
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Crack chicken casserole has its name for a reason: it’s an easy recipe that is downright irresistible. This oven-baked dish has noodles smothered in gooey cheese and creamy ranch sauce with tender pieces of bite-size chicken and crunchy bacon bits.

We love having easy casseroles to make on a busy night. Be sure to check out our chicken bacon ranch casserole and chicken and rice casserole. Both of them are quick and tasty dinner dishes.

close up shot of Crack Chicken Casserole topped with green onions in a baking dish

Easy Chicken Casserole Ingredients

Crack Chicken Casserole raw ingredients that are labeled

You’ll need:

1½ cups dry elbow macaroni
3 cups skinless boneless chicken breast, cooked and cubed
16 slices of bacon, cooked and diced (1½ cups once cooked)
3 tablespoons butter
1 small yellow onion, diced
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
2 cups sour cream
¼ cup milk or half-and-half
1-ounce ranch dressing seasoning packet
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 green onion, sliced thin

PRO TIP:

There are so many options for cooked chicken. You could even use leftover rotisserie chicken or cook up a chicken breast at home.

Chicken Crack Casserole Substitutions

PASTA: Any type of small pasta noodle could be used. Penne, bowties, rotini, rigatoni, ziti, egg noodles, or shells are some that would work great.

BACON: You can cook fresh bacon (use our oven-baked bacon recipe) and dice it yourself or use store-bought bacon bits.

CREAM CHEESE & SOUR CREAM: For both of these you can use low-fat versions or full-fat. You can also substitute the sour cream with Greek yogurt if you’d like.

SHREDDED CHEESE: You can make your own shredded cheddar cheese by shredding a block of cheese. You could also swap out the cheddar cheese for various different types of cheese such as Colby Jack, provolone, gouda, or Monterey Jack.

CREAM SOUP: You could use another cream soup in place of the cream of chicken if you prefer.

How to Make Crack Chicken Casserole

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375°F.

STEP TWO: Lightly spray a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray.

STEP THREE: Fill a medium-sized saucepan ¾ of the way full with water. Bring to a low rolling boil and add in the elbow macaroni. Cook macaroni until it is al dente. Drain the macaroni and set it aside.

PRO TIP:

Al dente is the ideal consistency for pasta. The pasta will be tender and will still have a slightly firm texture when you bite into it.

STEP FOUR: In a medium-sized skillet, add the butter and diced onions. Cook over medium to high heat, stirring the onions with a wooden spoon to ensure even cooking for about 5 to 7 minutes. They should be translucent and starting to turn golden/light brown. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Crack Chicken Casserole process shot of onions and butter being cooked on a skillet

STEP FIVE: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, the milk or half-and-half, and the 1-ounce package of ranch seasoning powder.

Crack Chicken Casserole process shot of ingredients being blended together in a bowl

STEP SIX: Using a handheld mixer, combine the sour cream mixture on medium speed until creamy.

STEP SEVEN: Continue mixing on low and add the kosher salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Mix until well combined.

STEP EIGHT: Transfer the sour cream mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add in the cooked macaroni, the cubed chicken breast, cooked yellow onion, 1½ cups of cheddar cheese, and ¾ of a cup of cooked bacon. Using a large wooden spoon, stir until all the ingredients are completely combined.

Crack Chicken Casserole process shot of ingredients combined in a bowl

STEP NINE: Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.

STEP TEN: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese, bacon, and the thinly sliced green onions on top of the chicken mixture.

STEP ELEVEN: Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top layer of cheese is melted and gooey.

Crack Chicken Casserole process shot of casserole topped with cheese then baked

What to serve with this Chicken Casserole

Serve this cheesy crack chicken casserole as a main dish alongside a delicious caesar salad or green beans and garlic bread or dinner rolls. The whole family will love this creamy dish and will no doubt gobble it up!

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Storing Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftovers of this crack chicken pasta bake in an airtight container and place them in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.

IN THE FREEZER: To freeze this ranch chicken casserole, make sure that you have your casserole in a freezer-safe dish. Then, cover it tightly in aluminum foil and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, bake it frozen at 350°F for 1 hour.

overhead shot of a casserole dish of Crack Chicken Casserole garnished with green onions

It’s always nice to have a quick and simple casserole recipe on hand for a quick meal when things get busy around the house. The tender chicken, crispy bacon, and gooey cheese make this dish the ultimate comfort food.

Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe FAQ

Can I freeze this easy chicken casserole?

This delicious casserole can be frozen, well-covered, for up to 2 months.

Can I buy cooked chicken and use it in this recipe?

There are lots of choices when it comes to what kind of chicken you use in this casserole. You can cook the chicken ahead of time at home to use in this casserole or you can buy a rotisserie chicken or other store-bought, cooked chicken to use instead.

What can I serve with this casserole?

Using this crack chicken casserole as a main dish, you could add a simple salad or frozen veggies on the side of your dish. Add bread or mashed potatoes and you are all set.

Why is it called crack chicken?

There are two reasons why the chicken is often referred to ask “crack” chicken. First, there is a seasoning with the brand name “Crack Chicken” that is available in the Michigan area that is often used to season this recipe. Secondly, the delicious combination of cheese, chicken, and bacon, is so good, it is addictive.

Why is my crack chicken watery?

Your crack chicken may turn out watery if you are using either frozen chicken or chicken that hasn’t been air chilled. The chicken will hold excess moisture, resulting in a watery dish.

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Easy Chicken Casserole (Crack Chicken Recipe)

5 from 41 votes

Crack chicken casserole is one of those delicious recipes that hits the spot every time. It makes it so easy to get a flavorful dinner that everyone loves, on the table.

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 30

Total Time 1

Servings

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Ingredients

1½ cups dry elbow macaroni
3 cups skinless boneless chicken breast, cooked and cubed
16 slices bacon, cooked and diced (this measures 1½ cups once cooked)
3 tablespoons butter
1 small yellow onion, diced
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup, undiluted
2 cups sour cream
¼ cup milk or half-and-half
1 ounce ranch dressing seasoning packet
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
3 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 green onion, sliced thin

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish.
Fill a medium-sized saucepan ¾ of the way with water. Bring to a low rolling boil and add the elbow macaroni. Cook the macaroni until it is all done. Drain the macaroni and set it aside.
In a medium-sized skillet, add the butter and diced onions. Cook over medium to high heat, stirring the onions with a wooden spoon to ensure even cooking for about 5 to 7 minutes. They should be translucent and starting to turn golden/light brown. Remove from the heat and set aside.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk or half-and-half, and package of ranch dressing powder.
Using a handheld mixer, combine the sour cream mixture on medium speed until creamy.
Continue mixing on low and add the kosher salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Mix until well combined.
Transfer the sour cream mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add in the cooked macaroni, the cubed chicken breast, cooked yellow onion, 1½ cups of cheddar cheese, and ¾ of a cup of cooked bacon. Using a large wooden spoon, stir until all the ingredients are completely combined.
Pour the chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese, bacon, and the thinly sliced green onion.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top layer of cheese is melted and gooey.

Video

Notes

There are so many options for cooked chicken. You could even use leftover rotisserie chicken or cook up a chicken breast at home.
Al dente is the ideal consistency for pasta. The pasta will be tender and will still have a slightly firm texture when you bite into it.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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