Description
Comfort meets convenience in this irresistible Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole, blending creamy textures with savory flavors. Hearty layers of tender chicken, crispy bacon, and zesty ranch create a satisfying meal that brings warmth to your dinner table and delights you with each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 3 chicken breasts
- 1/2 lb bacon
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 2 cups ranch dressing
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 oz cream cheese
Pantry and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to ensure smooth casserole release.
- Cook bacon in a skillet until crisp and golden, then drain on paper towels and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Cube chicken breasts into uniform chunks, seasoning with garlic powder, black pepper, and salt for enhanced flavor.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, sour cream, heavy cream, and cream cheese until smooth and well-combined.
- Add cream of chicken soup to the creamy mixture, stirring until the sauce reaches a consistent, velvety texture.
- Spread uncooked rice evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish as the foundational layer.
- Arrange seasoned chicken pieces over the rice, creating an even distribution.
- Pour the creamy ranch sauce completely over the chicken, ensuring full coverage.
- Sprinkle crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until chicken is thoroughly cooked and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and sauce to set.
Notes
- Use low-sodium bacon to control salt intake and create a lighter version of the dish.
- Substitute regular rice with cauliflower rice for a lower-carb, keto-friendly alternative that maintains the casserole’s creamy texture.
- Opt for Greek yogurt instead of sour cream to reduce calories while keeping the tangy ranch flavor profile intact.
- Replace chicken breasts with rotisserie chicken for a time-saving hack that adds extra flavor and reduces prep work.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 660
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 44 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg