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This irresistible Crack Chicken Casserole is the very best weeknight comfort food. Creamy, cheesy, bacon-filled, and loaded with juicy chicken and pasta, the whole family will love this easy weeknight dinner.

Baked crack chicken with golden gooey melted cheese on top in a large oval baking dish.

Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole

It’s hard not to love a good casserole recipe – am I right? And this this crack chicken casserole is one of my favorites. The ultimate quick and easy weeknight dinner, it will have the whole family begging for seconds – or thirds. Filled with tender cooked chicken and pasta in a cream cheese ranch sauce and topped with gooey melted cheese and crispy cooked bacon, it is the very definition of comfort food.

Ingredients in Crack Chicken Casserole in individual measuring cups and ramekins.

Ingredients in Crack Chicken Casserole

Find the printable recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

  • Cream Cheese: In this version casserole version, I chose to include cream cheese as part of the creamy sauce rather than cream of chicken soup. If you prefer a more liquid cream sauce, mix up to one cup of chicken broth or milk with the cream cheese.
  • Sour Cream: For added creaminess and tang. If sour cream isn’t available, substitute with plain Greek yogurt.
  • Ranch Seasoning Mix: Adds a tangy, herby flavor.
  • Chicken: In this recipe, I used boneless chicken breast, but chicken thighs also work. If you’re short on time, you can use any leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken.
  • Cheese: Sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheese are perfect for this dish, but Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or a sprinkle of crumbled feta would be great.
  • Cooked Pasta: Shell pasta, penne, bowtie, elbow macaroni, etc.
  • Bacon: Provides a smoky, salty flavor. Cook separately until crispy, then finely dice or crumble.

Optional Additions: Sauteed garlic and onions, mushrooms, peas, or broccoli.

Large white mixing bowl filled with sour cream, ranch seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Chopped chicken breast added to large white mixing bowl filled with whisked together sour cream, ranch seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Large white mixing bowl filled with chopped chicken breast mixed with whisked together sour cream, ranch seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

How to Make Crack Chicken Casserole

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

2. Beat the cream cheese using an electric mixer until easily whipped and easily spreadable, then add the sour cream, ranch dressing mix, salt, and black pepper and continue to mix until fully combined.

Prepared casserole dish filled with cream cheese and ranch coated chicken pieces.
Shell pasta cooking in a large pot of boiling water.
Partially baked cream cheese and ranch coated chicken pieces in a large non-stick casserole dish.

3. Add the chicken to the cream cheese and ranch mixture and mix until coated. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish and bake for 20 minutes.

4. As the chicken bakes, boil the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Cooked shells and chopped bacon bits added to partially baked cream cheese and ranch coated chicken in a large non-stick casserole dish.
Cream cheese and ranch coated chicken, cooked pasta shells, and bacon in a large non-stick casserole dish and topped with a small pile of shredded mozzarella cheese and cheddar cheese.

5. Remove the chicken from the oven and stir gently. Stir in the pasta and cooked bacon, then add half of the shredded cheese and stir until melted. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.

6. Bake for 5-10 minutes, then broil on high for 3 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.

7. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired.

Baked crack chicken with golden gooey melted cheese on top in a large oval baking dish.

What to Serve with Easy Crack Chicken Casserole

I highly recommend serving this family favorite with a fresh green salad or yummy roasted veggies like broccoli, asparagus, or zucchini.

Baked crack chicken with golden gooey melted cheese on top in a large oval baking dish.

Storage

Transfer the leftover casserole to an airtight container. If you have a large amount, consider dividing it into smaller, portion-sized containers for easier reheating. Place in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Can You Freeze Crack Chicken Casserole?

Yes. To freeze, first allow the leftovers to cool completely before transferring them to freezer-safe airtight containers and place them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When ready to reheat, first allow the casserole to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven until it’s heated through. If the casserole looks a little dried out, stir in a few tablespoons of chicken broth or milk before reheating.

More Amazing Casseroles

If you try making this Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.

Large wooden spoon filled with crack chicken casserole made with cheese and noodles.
Baked crack chicken with golden gooey melted cheese on top in a large oval baking dish.
4.86 from 70 votes

Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe


Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlightJessica Randhawa
This irresistible Crack Chicken Casserole is the very best weeknight comfort food. Creamy, cheesy, bacon-filled, and loaded with juicy chicken and pasta, the whole family loves this easy weeknight dinner.
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
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Ingredients 

  • 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 (1-ounce) package Ranch Seasoning Mix
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon Ground black pepper
  • 2 pounds chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 8 ounces shell pasta
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until easily spreadable, then add the sour cream, ranch dressing mix, salt, and pepper and continue to mix until fully combined.
  • Add the chicken to the cream cheese mixture and mix until coated. Transfer the chicken to the prepared oven-safe casserole dish and bake for 20 minutes.
  • In the meantime, boil the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • Remove the chicken from the oven and stir gently. Fold in the pasta and cooked bacon, then add half of the shredded cheese and stir until melted. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top.
  • Bake for 5-10 minutes, then broil on high for 3 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
  • Garnish with sliced green onions if desired.

Notes

  • Short on time? Swap uncooked chicken for shredded rotisserie chicken (approximately 3 cups).
  • Leftovers: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 759kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 206mg | Sodium: 1242mg | Potassium: 816mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1116IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 320mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
Close up photo of Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon in a blue spotted dress, in the sunlight

Jessica Randhawa

Chef | Food Photographer

Jessica Randhawa leads The Forked Spoon, sharing 14 years of experience and over 1,200 original recipes, kitchen tips, and practical cooking advice. Inspired by her world travels, Jessicaโ€™s approachable recipes have been featured in outlets like Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, and CNET. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of California.

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Recipe Rating




4.86 from 70 votes (63 ratings without comment)

34 Comments

  1. David says:

    Thinking that some green chile salsa would go well here, along with Jack cheese instead of the mozzarella. I have half a rotisserie chicken in the fridge that will go in to this. Thanks for the inspiration!

    1. Jessica Randhawa says:

      That sounds delicious! Green chile salsa and Jack cheese would add a great kick, and using rotisserie chicken is such a smart, easy shortcut. I hope you enjoy your versionโ€”thanks for sharing your tasty ideas!

  2. C.J. says:

    5 stars
    I see this with onion soup powder instead of ranch. Sounds good but just not a fan of ranch seasoning.

    1. Jessica Randhawa says:

      Thanks for your feedback! Onion soup powder is a great alternative if youโ€™re not a fan of ranch seasoningโ€”feel free to swap it in for a different but equally delicious flavor.

  3. Karrah says:

    So confused on how 20 minutes at 375ยฐ was to cook the chicken completely, i had about 6-7 minutes left on time and chicken was still pink and raw as i put it in, what did i do wrong? ๐Ÿ™

    1. Jessica Randhawa says:

      Hi Karrah, was this before adding the cooked pasta and cheese? After adding the pasta and shredded cheese, the recipe instructs cooking for 10 more minutes plus a few minutes to broil the cheese, up to 33 minutes. The chicken should be cooked within this time, but all ovens vary, so perhaps yours just needed a few minutes longer.

  4. Mitch says:

    5 stars
    Very pleased with the results!

  5. Kaela Brown says:

    This sounds delish! What is the serving size for this?

    1. Jessica Randhawa says:

      1/6 of the total dish ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Dee says:

    I’m making this for friends who just had a baby. Planning to put it in their fridge so they just take it out and pop it in the oven to “cook” when they want it. Would you recommend doing all the steps except the last 10 minutes, letting it cool then covering it with foil to take it over?

    1. Jessica Randhawa says:

      That sounds like a thoughtful and practical plan for your friends!

      They can store the casserole in the refrigerator until theyโ€™re ready to heat it. Be sure to include instructions for them to bake it, but they will need to fully heat it up from the refrigerator temperature which will take significantly more time than the directions above ๐Ÿ™‚