Crack Chicken Casserole
Crack chicken casserole is cheesy, creamy, and loaded with tasty ingredients that create a delicious meal that hits the spot every time.
Servings: 8
Calories: 566kcal
Ingredients
- 1½ cups dry elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 cups sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup, undiluted
- 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 in half
- 3 cups skinless boneless chicken breast, cooked and cubed
- 16 slices bacon, cooked and diced (this measures 1½ cups once cooked)
- 1 green onion, sliced thin
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Lightly spray a 9x13 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 the cooked macaroni, cubed chicken breast, cooked yellow onion, 1½ cups of cheddar cheese, and ¾ 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
Calories: 566kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 1422mg | Potassium: 253mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1895IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 181mg | Iron: 5mg