Description
Comfort meets convenience in this crack chicken casserole, a hearty dish blending creamy textures with savory chicken and zesty ranch seasoning. Cheese-topped and easy to prepare, this crowd-pleasing meal delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making dinner a delightful experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups chicken (cooked and shredded)
- 1 cup bacon (cooked and crumbled)
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 16 ounces (454 grams) sour cream
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
Base and Seasonings:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) shredded hash brown potatoes (frozen)
- 10.5 ounces (298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 ounce (28 grams) ranch seasoning
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C), ensuring a consistent temperature for even cooking.
- Create a creamy base by whisking together sour cream, cream of chicken soup, melted butter, and ranch seasoning until smooth and well-blended.
- Incorporate shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, and shredded hash browns into the mixture, stirring thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Fold in most of the shredded cheddar cheese, reserving a small portion for topping.
- Grease a casserole dish and carefully spread the combined mixture, ensuring an even layer across the bottom.
- Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top, creating a golden, melty surface.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, watching for a bubbling texture and golden-brown cheese crust that indicates the casserole is perfectly cooked through.
Notes
- Make sure to use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and even distribution of flavors.
- Pat the shredded chicken dry to prevent excess moisture from making the casserole watery.
- Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon to reduce fat content and create a lighter version of the dish.
- For a gluten-free option, replace cream of chicken soup with a homemade alternative using cornstarch and chicken broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 466 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg