Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this hearty chicken bacon ranch casserole, blending creamy textures with smoky bacon and zesty ranch flavors. Layers of tender chicken, crispy bacon, and melted cheese promise a satisfying meal that draws friends and family together around the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs chicken breast, boneless and skinless
- 0.5 lbs bacon, thick-cut
Dairy:
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 0.5 cup cream cheese
Pantry and Produce:
- 1 package ranch seasoning mix
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 2 cups cooked rice or pasta
- 0.5 cup green onions, chopped
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Crisp the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and crunchy, then drain on paper towels and crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Slice chicken breasts into uniform cubes, ensuring even cooking and tender texture.
- Season chicken cubes with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, massaging the spices thoroughly into the meat.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, blend ranch dressing, sour cream, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning mix until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Fold the seasoned chicken into the creamy mixture, ensuring each piece is completely coated.
- Layer the prepared rice or pasta across the bottom of the greased baking dish as the foundational layer.
- Spread the ranch-coated chicken evenly over the rice, creating a consistent layer.
- Sprinkle crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese across the top, covering the entire surface.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and casserole to set.
- Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- Use thick-cut bacon for more robust flavor and crunchier texture, ensuring it’s cooked until perfectly crisp but not burnt.
- Opt for low-sodium ranch seasoning to control salt content and prevent the dish from becoming overly salty.
- Swap regular rice or pasta with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lower-carb, gluten-free alternative that keeps the dish light and nutritious.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or smoked gouda to add unexpected depth and complexity to the casserole’s flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 700
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg