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Loaded Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole Recipe

If you are looking to feed a large crowd, this cheesy crack chicken casserole recipe is a great option to consider because it’s hearty, rich, and filled with flavor. Loaded with cheese, chicken, bacon, and ranch, this dinner option is a family favorite and a make-ahead option you will lean on time and time again.

In partnership with Perdue Farms

how to make crack chicken casserole recipe

How do you make cheesy crack chicken casserole? You will need a handful of ingredients and both your stove and oven to make this dish, but it will be well worth it!

Usually, my recipes only require a handful of ingredients, but this is easier than you think.

Ingredients: 

  • 1 box, 16 oz, elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups Perdue Farms chicken, cooked and cubed
  • 12 slices bacon, cut into 1″ pieces
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 green pepper, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoons ground pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoons paprika
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 package dry ranch dressing
  • 1 brick, 8 oz, cream cheese, cubed
  • 3 cups cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
  • chopped green onions
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crack chicken recipe

How to make cheesy crack chicken casserole

Preheat oven to 375 and grease a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. 

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and place into a prepared baking dish. Add chicken to baking dish and Set aside. 

cheesy crack chicken

Add bacon, onion, pepper, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika to a skillet and heat over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until bacon is cooked and onions are translucent. Pour mixture on top of the chicken and set aside. 

how to make crack chicken

Add butter, flour, milk, and ranch dressing to the skillet. Heat over medium heat, whisking frequently until mixture begins to thicken. Add cream cheese and continue to heat and mix well until cheese is melted. 

cheese casserole


Pour mixture over chicken and macaroni. Top with 2 cups of cheese. Mix well and spread evenly in the baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake for 20 minutes.

crack chicken casserole

Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake for 2-5 minutes or until melted.  Remove from oven and serve topped with chopped bacon and green onions.  This dish serves 8-12 people.

crack chicken casserole recipe

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This homemade Crack Cheese Casserole is such a hearty dinner and one you will turn to time and time again. It all begins with Perdue Farms protein because I know that flavors begins with your ingredients!

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Tips For Making This Casserole Dish

  • When I batch cook for the week, I usually cook a few pounds of protein at once. That way, I can just go ahead and add it to any of my meals over the next few days.
  • You can absolutely assemble the majority of this casserole dish ahead of time and then finish cooking it through right before you are ready to serve.
  • If you don’t know what to serve with this dish, consider a hearty side salad, Brussel sprouts, green beans, or roasted broccoli.
  • Consider subbing out the bacon for turkey bacon or remove the bacon entirely.
  • Don’t like ranch? How about making a buffalo version?!
  • Swap out the cheddar cheese and replace it with mozzarella or a Mexican blend.
  • Have fun trying out different shapes of pasta!
  • Feel free to add in different vegetables to this casserole if you want to load up some goodness into the mix.
chicken casserole

Looking for other casserole ideas?

crack chicken casserole recipe

Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole

Yield: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

If you are looking to feed a large crowd, this cheesy crack chicken casserole recipe is a great option to consider because it's hearty, rich, and filled with flavor. Loaded with cheese, chicken, bacon, and ranch, this dinner option is a family favorite and a make-ahead option you will lean on time and time again.

Ingredients

  • 1 box, 16 oz, elbow macaroni
  • 2 cups chicken, cooked and cubed
  • 12 slices bacon, cut into 1" pieces
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 green pepper, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoons ground pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoons paprika3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1 package dry ranch dressing
  • 1 brick, 8 oz, cream cheese, cubed
  • 3 cups cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
  • chopped green onions

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 and grease a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. 
  2. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and place into a prepared baking dish. Add chicken to a baking dish and Set aside. 
  3. Add bacon, onion, pepper, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika to a skillet and heat over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until bacon is cooked and onions are translucent. Pour mixture on top of the chicken and set aside. 
  4. Add butter, flour, milk, and ranch dressing to the skillet. Heat over medium heat, whisking frequently until mixture begins to thicken. Add cream cheese and continue to heat and mix well until cheese is melted. 
  5. Pour mixture over chicken and macaroni. Top with 2 cups of cheese. Mix well and spread evenly in the baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake for 20 minutes.
  6. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake for 2-5 minutes or until melted.  Remove from oven and serve topped with chopped bacon and green onions.  This dish serves 8-12 people.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 447Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 656mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 24g

Did you make this recipe?

Did you make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram (@VeraSweeney) so I can see your wonderful creation! I would love to see your dish.

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