Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe [Video]

Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole is the perfect dish to feed a large crowd. Deliciously creamy, made with tender chicken, pasta, Ranch, cheddar cheese and topped with crispy bacon. Everything is cooked in a cheesy sauce made with cream cheese, milk, and cream of chicken soup.

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Chicken has been a hit on the blog since I posted this easy Instant Pot Crack Chicken recipe. It was so popular that you guys asked for a casserole version and here it is. Loaded with chicken, pasta, lots of shredded cheddar cheese, and obviously bacon, cooked in the most amazing sauce, this recipe is what comfort food is about. The best part is that it’s easy to make, it can be made in advance, the leftovers are delicious and it also freezes well.

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Casserole Recipes are very popular on the blog. My Sweet Potato Casserole was made by hundreds of people, and I have received many emails and comments about how great it is. This Turkey Tetrazzini is a great option for busy weeknights, making dinner easier and bonus points for delicious leftovers.

This crack chicken casserole is another one of those addictive recipes with ranch, cheddar, and bacon in it, which is why I like to call it crack. What makes it even more enticing is that you can make it so easily. If you have leftover chicken or some rotisserie chicken, you do not even have to cook any. 

Another fantastic thing about this easy recipe is that you can make two or three if you need to feed a crowd. That is perfect for a party or picnic. And if you have leftovers, that is no big deal either because you can freeze them for up to three months. Just put it in separate freezer bags or storage containers, and you can use them for meal plans or take them out of the freezer as needed.

Recipe feedback:

This casserole recipe is incredibly tasty and it has ranked millions of views across social media and hundreds of stellar comments. Here is what our readers have to say about it:

“This recipe rocks!! My granddaughter found the recipe for us to try. My family loved it. Will definitely be making it again.”

“My family loved this dish!! I snuck in a package of mushrooms and no one noticed! Next time I’ll add even more veggies. There’s plenty of sauce to hide all the veggies without suspicion!!”

“I made this last night. This is so good!! All I could think about was how good it was going to taste the next night. So right now, being the next night, I just finished eating some and it reheated perfectly! This is high on my list of comfort food must-haves! Thank you for sharing this recipe! 😊“

This is a hearty dinner that is perfect to feed a crowd, or if you are looking to have some delicious leftovers for the next day. Also, to save some time you can easily make it with rotisserie chicken.

Why you will love this recipe

• Make it easy: Just a few steps to a fabulous meal.
• Cook for a crowd: Serve a large group or just your family.
• A whole meal in one pan: No need for side dishes.
• Fresh and delicious: You use all fresh ingredients with no fillers.

The items you need for making cheesy crack chicken casserole

Special items:

• Pot – A large pot to boil the pasta.
• Skillet – To cook the meat and sauce.
• Casserole dish – For baking the casserole.
• Cooking utensils

Ingredients:

Main ingredients:

• Macaroni – I prefer regular elbow macaroni, but you can use what you like.
• Bacon – I use 12 slices of bacon chopped into two-inch pieces.
• Chicken – Uncooked boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped into cubes.
• Bell pepper—I chose green peppers for their savory taste, but if you want a sweeter flavor, you could use yellow, orange, or red peppers.
• Onion – I like sweet white onion, chopped about the same size as the peppers.
• Garlic – Only freshly minced garlic will do for this recipe if you want the rich umami flavor to stand out.
• Paprika – For a sweet, smoky flavor.
• Salt
• Pepper

For the cheesy sauce:

• Butter – Do not use margarine. Unsalted butter softened to room temperature is the only choice for a fresh buttery taste.
• Flour – Any kind of flour will work. I use all-purpose flour.
• Milk – Whole milk will make the creamiest, most decadent sauce.
• Ranch seasoning – You can use store-bought or easy homemade ranch seasoning with just six ingredients.
• Cream cheese – Use full–fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature. Do not use the whipped kind, as it contains too much water.
• Cheddar cheese – Shred your cheese for the best meltability and taste.
• Cream of chicken soup – Do not add water. You want the condensed cream of chicken soup for full flavor.

For the topping:

• Bacon – More chopped bacon for extra flavor and eye-catching color.
• Cheddar cheese – You can never have too much cheese.
• Panko breadcrumbs – Light and crunchy, the perfect topping for a creamy casserole.

How to make Crack Chicken Casserole from scratch:

1. Prep: To start, gather all the ingredients, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, and lightly grease a 9×13 casserole dish.
2. Boil the pasta: First, place a large pot of water over medium-high heat and cook the pasta per package directions, aim for al-dente. After that, drain it and set it aside.
3. Cook the bacon: Meanwhile, place a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and cook the bacon until crispy. After that, set it aside to drain on paper towels. Also, leave about 2 tablespoons of grease in the skillet. 
4. Brown the chicken: Next, add the cubed chicken and cook it. Alternatively, use rotisserie chicken and skip this step altogether. Transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
5. Cook the veggies: Then, add the onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the same skillet and cook until tender. After, add them to the bowl with the meat.
6. Make the Sauce: Finally, let’s make the incredibly cheesy sauce. For that, melt some butter into the same skillet and add the flour, make sure to stir until paste forms. After that, slowly, while still stirring pour in the milk. Next, stir in the Ranch seasoning, condensed cream of chicken soup, and cream cheese.
7. Add cheese: At this time, reduce the heat to low, and stir in the shredded cheese until melted. Lastly, turn off the heat, the sauce is ready!
8. Combine: Next, add the cooked pasta to the bowl and add the sauce. Afterward, toss gently until well combined and transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
9. Toppings: Then, add the remaining cheese, and sprinkle the panko bread crumbs and bacon on top.
10. Bake: Next, bake the casserole for 20-30 minutes until the cheese is hot and bubbly!
11. Serve: At last, let the dish cool for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle some chopped green onions on top and serve.

Slow Cooker directions:

Since many of you have asked for directions on how to make this recipe in the slow cooker, here they are!

• First, you Do NOT have to cook the pasta, and also please skip the flour.
• Replace the 3 cups of milk with 2 cups whole milk and 2 12- ounce cans of evaporated milk and skip preparing the Cheesy Mixture in the skillet.
• Next, follow the instructions from the recipe card on how to brown all the ingredients, including the bacon and the meat.
• Add the uncooked pasta, browned chicken, and veggies to the slow cooker. Next, cube and add the cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, and shredded cheese. After that, stir all the ingredients to combine.
• Then, cook on low for 90 minutes to 2 1/2 hours. However, check after 60 minutes and give the mixture a stir. After that check every 20-30 minutes and stir.
• Also, if needed add more milk to the mixture when stirring and taste and adjust for salt and pepper.
• Serve when the pasta is ready, and stir in the bacon right before serving.

Expert tip

What is the binder of a casserole?

A perfect casserole has to have at least one binder. This one has several, including cheddar cheese, cream cheese, condensed soup, pasta, and flour. This may also be considered the base or the starch. It is what holds everything together and gives the casserole its heartiness. Most often, it is a carbohydrate like rice or pasta because they are bland enough to take on other flavors, so they can go in almost any dish.

In this recipe, I would consider the cheese sauce to be the main binder because it contains both kinds of cheese, cream of chicken soup, and flour. It is thick enough to hold everything together, even without the pasta. Since this recipe relies so heavily on cheddar cheese, I do not recommend leaving it out or substituting it for anything else. It is part of the reason the recipe is called cheesy crack chicken casserole.

As a matter of fact, even those who are lactose intolerant can safely eat cheddar cheese, according to the experts. Hard cheeses like cheddar, Monterey jack, mozzarella, swiss, and Colby are almost lactose-free. Approximately 90% of the lactose is removed with the whey and water when they make these cheeses. If you need more time, ask your physician. Then, you can enjoy more cheese with the rest of us!

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Different meat: I made this with turkey, beef, and pork sausage, which are absolutely wonderful.
• Tater tots – Toss some tater tots on top instead of panko breadcrumbs for an extra hearty meal.
• Hash browns—Another way to top your casserole is with frozen hash browns. Just make sure to thaw them first.
• Hot and spicy – Those who love spicy food will enjoy it if you chop up some jalapenos and sprinkle on some cayenne pepper before serving.
• Other cheese: I believe you should keep the cheddar because it is part of the main trio of flavors, but you can add Swiss, mozzarella, gruyere, provolone, feta, and my favorite, pepper jack.
• More vegetables: This is an excellent opportunity to get the kids to eat more vegetables. Sneak in chopped broccoli, carrots, zucchini, corn, and peas.
• Seasoning: Also, if you are not a fan of Ranch seasoning, skip it or use Italian seasoning, Taco seasoning, or Cajun seasoning.
• No pasta: Instead of pasta, you could also use rice. This is good for someone who is sensitive to gluten (but don’t forget to use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs, too.

Serving suggestions:

I like serving my chicken casserole in all sorts of new ways. Here are a few of my favorites.

• I love this cheesy crack chicken casserole with a side of grilled vegetables. You can choose which veggies you want and cook them on the grill while your casserole cooks. It only takes 15 minutes, and they are so delicious when cooked this way.
• If you don’t want to fire up the grill, make some brown sugar roasted sweet potatoes or steamed broccoli on the side.
• Of course, you can serve your casserole with a nice cucumber and tomato dinner salad.
• On the other hand, instead of a typical salad or vegetable, keep the crack theme going with my exquisite crack corn salad. It is sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy.
• Serving any cheesy and saucy casserole without bread should be a crime. My Amish dinner rolls are perfect and very easy to make.
• If you want to serve this with dessert, it will pair very well with this rich homemade pecan pie with bourbon.

Frequently asked questions

What does crack mean in recipes?

According to most, the reason they call a food crack is because it is addictive. However, when this term started, it was from a crack chicken recipe from Lansing, Michigan. It was a seasoning a restaurant used to make fried chicken which everyone considered so good that it was hard to stop eating. And the place’s name was Crack Chicken (with a picture of a chick emerging from an egg). Later, the name Crack Dip became known for a dip that featured cheddar cheese, ranch, and bacon. So, now anything with those three ingredients is called crack.

Why is my casserole runny?

Most of the time, a casserole ends up runny because of its vegetables. This one has bell peppers, but there is only one, so it should not be a big problem. To be sure, rinse and pat it dry with paper towels before adding it to the mixture. Also, drain the pasta completely. When I say this, I mean toss it around in the filter and ensure all the water is out of the noodles. You can even send it through a salad spinner. Those things are fantastic for getting rid of excess water.

What other kind of pasta can I use in this dish?

If you do not have macaroni noodles or want something different, there are plenty of great choices on the market. The first one I want to mention is shellbows. They are a hybrid blend of elbow macaroni and shells. Also known as lumachel, these little beauties are textured on the outside and have a curved hollow center for holding sauces and chunks of meat and veggies. But you can also use shells, penne, ziti, rigatoni, fusilli, orecchiette, or farfalle. There is really no wrong pasta shape.

Do I have to cover my chicken casserole?

No. In fact, I suggest you do not cover your casserole since putting it in the oven is to melt and brown the bacon, cheese, and panko. If your dish is covered, everything will be steamed so it will end up soggy instead of crisp and brown. Soggy bacon is okay if that is how you like it, but it could be better in this recipe. Also, the panko does not get crispy when it is covered. If the cheese is getting too brown, put it on a lower rack or lightly cover it with foil.

What makes a dish a casserole?

In the US, a casserole recipe is typically a baked dish that has these five main components:

1. Meat – it can be chicken, fish, turkey, seafood, or any type of ground meat. Also, in vegetarian versions, you will see other types of protein, like tofu and beans.
2. Veggies – usually this type of food has a variety of chopped veggies mixed in as well.
3. Starchy binder – finally, usually there is a starch that brings the other ingredients together. It can be flour, pasta or potatoes.
4. Liquid – also, a liquid is incorporated to make the food saucier, usually, broth, condensed soup, wine, beer, milk, cream, or stock is used.
5. Topping – the dish is usually finished with a crunchy or cheesy topping.

Also, the food is usually cooked in the oven and a baking dish that oftentimes is called a casserole dish is used. Conveniently, the food can be served directly from the dish.

How to store and freeze leftovers:

1. Store: Actually if you have leftovers, first make sure to let the dish fully cool and after that either cover it with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Then, refrigerate it for 3-4 days.
2. Reheat: When ready to serve, just reheat the leftovers in the microwave. Also, since the pasta will absorb more sauce after refrigeration, reheat on the stove and add some milk to make it saucier.
3. Freeze: Actually freezing a casserole dish is fairly easy. First, make sure that you are using a freezer-safe baking dish or container. Next, let the food fully cool. After that, if freezing in the casserole dish, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and in a few layers of aluminum foil. Another option is to transfer it to a freezer-safe airtight container. After that, freeze for up to 3 months.
4. Defrost: Remove the frozen baking dish from the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge overnight. After that, reheat it in the oven. Also, keep in mind that you may have to add extra milk or condensed chicken soup, to make it saucier. Alternatively, bake it frozen and covered with foil, at 350°F, for 1 hour. But before that leave it on the counter for an hour, for the baking dish to come to room temperature, otherwise it may crack in the oven.

More casserole recipes:

Recipe tips:

• Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken to save time.
• If you have leftover cooked macaroni, this can save you some time too.
• I really love ranch seasoning. If you are not as big a fan, you can cut the amount to one teaspoon.
• Make sure you drain your pasta well, so your casserole is not runny.
• Also, rinse and drain your vegetables and pat them dry with a paper towel.
• Any kind of pasta will work in this dish. You could even use rice.
• Use brick cream cheese instead of the whipped kind because they do not have the same consistency.