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Image of crack chicken baked ziti with bacon.

Crack Chicken Baked Ziti

Crack Chicken Baked Ziti is a comforting casserole dish featuring the famous ranch-bacon-cheese combo! This is an easy pasta recipe perfect to feed a crowd!

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Crack Chicken Baked Ziti
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 servings
Calories 579 kcal
Author Catalina Castravet

Ingredients

  • 3 cups ziti pasta uncooked

Bacon:

  • 12 slices bacon baked until crispy and cut into 1 inch pieces

Chicken:

  • 1 1/2 lbs uncooked chicken cubed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon paprika

Cheesy Mixture:

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 package Dry Ranch Mix optional
  • 1 package 8oz cream cheese, room temperature and cubed
  • 3 cups Cheddar cheese shredded

Toppings:

  • Cooked bacon
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 375degrees F.
  2. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.

Cook Chicken:

  1. Add the cubed chicken to a large skillet with some oil, season with salt, pepper and paprika. Cook stirring frequently, until golden and no longer pink in the center. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Cheesy Mixture:

  1. In same skillet, on medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter.
  2. Stir in flour whisking until a paste forms.
  3. Gradually stir in milk, beating with the whisk to combine.
  4. Stir in Ranch Mix and garlic.
  5. Stir in cream cheese until fully combined.
  6. Stir in 3 cups of cheddar cheese. Remove from heat.

Combine:

  1. In a large bowl combine: cooked pasta, chicken and cheese mixture. Stir well to combine and transfer to a 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish.
  2. Top with the cooked bacon, 1 cup shredded cheese.

Bake:

  1. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until mixture is bubbly and cheese is fully melted. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts
Crack Chicken Baked Ziti
Amount Per Serving
Calories 579 Calories from Fat 333
% Daily Value*
Fat 37g57%
Saturated Fat 14g88%
Cholesterol 100mg33%
Sodium 770mg33%
Potassium 404mg12%
Carbohydrates 28g9%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 33g66%
Vitamin A 845IU17%
Calcium 398mg40%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.