Crack Chicken Casserole

Enjoy this cheesy crack chicken casserole with tender chicken, bacon, cheddar cheese, and macaroni mixed together with an unbelievably creamy sauce. It’s full of flavor and a guaranteed hit at the dinner table.

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This crack chicken casserole is deliciously addicting! Tender pieces of chicken, crispy bacon, and macaroni are mixed in a creamy, savory sauce. Topped with lots of cheese and baked to bubbly perfection, this dish is full of flavor and easily becomes a household favorite!

Crack Chicken Casserole Ingredients 

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 packet
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 green onion, sliced thin

Substitutions and Additions 

PASTA: You can use any pasta shape you like in this recipe.  

CHICKEN: You can use chicken breasts you’ve cooked or rotisserie chicken in this recipe. 

BACON: You can use fresh bacon you’ve cooked and chopped or use bacon bits from the store. 

SOUR CREAM/CREAM CHEESE: Use full-fat or low-fat sour cream and cream cheese in this recipe. The higher the fat content, the creamier the casserole. You can also use plain Greek yogurt in place of sour cream.

CHEESE: Feel free to swap out cheddar for another kind of cheese in this recipe, like gouda, provolone, or Monterey Jack.

CREAM SOUP: If you’d prefer, you can use another type of cream soup instead of cream of chicken. 

How to Make This Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe 

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 375°F.

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

STEP THREE: Fill a medium-sized saucepan ¾ of the way full with water and bring to a low rolling boil. Cook the macaroni until al dente, drain and set aside. 

STEP FOUR: Add butter and diced onions to a medium-sized skillet. Cook over medium to high heat, stirring the onions with a wooden spoon to ensure even cooking for about 5 to 7 minutes. Once they are translucent and starting to turn golden/light brown, remove from the heat and set aside.

STEP FIVE: In a medium mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, milk or half-and-half, and the 1-ounce package of ranch seasoning powder. Combine using a handheld mixer on medium speed until creamy. 

PRO TIP: Allow your cream cheese and sour cream to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing them in. This will help reduce lumps in your sauce.

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

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

STEP EIGHT: Spread the chicken mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.

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

PRO TIP: Grate fresh cheese from a block instead of buying cheese pre-shredded. It melts a lot better!

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

How To Serve 

Serve this satisfying dish alongside salad, roasted veggies, and dinner rolls. 

Storage 

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftovers in an airtight container and place them in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.

IN THE FREEZER: Place leftovers in a freezer-safe container, then freeze for up to 2 months.

REHEATING INSTRUCTIONS: Bake from frozen at 350°F for 1 hour. From the fridge, microwave leftovers until warm. 

This creamy crack chicken casserole is an amazing comfort meal and oh-so-tasty. On its own or with veggies and a roll, this dish is sure to satisfy.  

FAQ:

Question: Why is the macaroni in my casserole soft?

Answer: The macaroni will continue to cook in the oven, so be sure to cook it al dente, so it doesn’t get too soft. 

Question: What do I serve with this dish?

Answer: Crack chicken casserole is super satisfying on its own but can also be served with salad, veggies, and dinner rolls for a bigger meal. 

Question: Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Answer: If you are making this dish ahead of time, I recommend you finish Steps One to Nine and bake right before serving. 

Crack Chicken Casserole

Enjoy this cheesy crack chicken casserole with tender chicken, bacon, cheddar cheese, and macaroni mixed together with an unbelievably creamy sauce. It’s full of flavor and a guaranteed hit at the dinner table.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Servings 8

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.

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.

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