Festive Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe
This Festive Dinner Crack Chicken Casserole is a comforting, creamy baked pasta dish featuring tender cubed chicken, crispy bacon, and a blend of creamy cheeses and ranch seasoning. Perfect for special occasions or a hearty family meal, it combines elbow macaroni with a flavorful sauce made from cream soup, sour cream, and cream cheese, topped with cheddar cheese and fresh green onions for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 1½ cups dry elbow macaroni
- 3 cups cooked skinless, boneless chicken breast, cubed
Bacon and Vegetables
- 16 slices bacon, cooked and diced (about 1½ cups cooked bacon)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 green onion, sliced thin
Cheese and Dairy
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup (undiluted)
- 2 cups sour cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup milk or half-and-half
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Seasonings
- 1 ounce packet ranch dressing seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Cook the macaroni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dry elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare bacon and sauté onion: Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove, drain on paper towels, then dice into small pieces. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté diced yellow onion until translucent and soft, about 3-4 minutes.
- Mix the sauce: In a large bowl, combine the undiluted cream of chicken soup, sour cream, softened cream cheese, milk or half-and-half, ranch dressing seasoning, black pepper, kosher salt, and onion powder. Stir well until smooth and creamy.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooked macaroni, cubed chicken, sautéed onions, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese to the sauce mixture. Stir thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- Assemble casserole: Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the diced cooked bacon evenly over the top, then add the remaining shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake the casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle the sliced green onions over the top as a fresh garnish. Serve warm and enjoy your festive crack chicken casserole!
Notes
- For extra crispiness, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end of baking to brown the cheese topping.
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Use low-fat sour cream and cream cheese for a lighter version.
- Leftovers refrigerate well and reheat nicely in the microwave or oven.
- Make sure not to overcook the macaroni initially, as it will continue cooking in the casserole.
Keywords: crack chicken casserole, chicken casserole, cheesy chicken pasta bake, bacon chicken casserole, festive dinner recipes
Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/festive-crack-chicken-casserole-recipe/