If you’re craving a hearty, warming, and nourishing dish, look no further than this crack chicken casserole.
This casserole is the epitome of easy comfort food. Preparation takes 5 minutes, and the ingredients are all super affordable and easily accessible.
Packed with chicken, cheese, and cream, it’s so addictive, you’ll want to lick the plate. It has its name for a reason!
It’s the perfect dinner on a cold evening when all you want is to stay in your pajamas and snuggle with your loved ones!
Delectable food doesn’t have to be such an effort, and crack chicken casserole is proof.
Crack Chicken Casserole
This casserole has a creamy and cheesy chicken layer at the bottom and golden brown breadcrumbs on top.
The chicken and cheese component is flavored with sour cream, ranch dressing, and cream of chicken soup. It’s creamy, moist, and outrageously decadent.
The crispy crunch from the breadcrumb crust on top offers a wonderful contrast to the tender chicken. Together, the two layers create magic.
It’s so simple, and it’s an ideal dish for days when you’re just too lazy to cook. It feeds a crowd, to boot! What more can you ask for?
Ingredients
- Sour Cream and Cheese – This recipe is loaded with dairy to make a super creamy and delectable casserole.
Use low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt for a healthier option, but full-fat will give the best flavor.
Cheddar has a nice, sharp flavor and melts beautifully. Mozzarella, Swiss, Colby Jack, and other melty cheeses will work, too.
Shred the cheese yourself for best results. Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t melt as much because it contains an anti-caking ingredient.
- Ranch Seasoning And Salad Dressing Mix – This dry mix gives the casserole the best flavor. The wonderful blend of herbs and seasonings provides an earthy and spicy contrast to the otherwise purely creamy dish.
This recipe is wonderful with Hidden Valley, but you can use whatever brand you like. You can even make your own! A dry ranch mix is made of onion powder, onion flakes, dill, parsley, garlic, powder, dried chives, salt, and pepper.
- Cream Of Chicken Soup – It adds even more creaminess to the dish.
- Bacon – Its crunchiness offers a lovely contrast to the moist and tender casserole. You can’t find those wonderful salty-smoky flavors anywhere else, either! Cook the bacon yourself or get store-bought bacon bits.
- Chicken – Chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs both work. You can cook the chicken yourself, or just use leftover chicken! Rotisserie, grilled, or roasted chicken adds even more personality and flavor to the casserole.
- Panko Breadcrumbs Or Crushed Crackers – They give the casserole a sensational crunch. Try using Ritz crackers, too, for an even cheesier dish.
- Melted Butter – It’s mixed with breadcrumbs to add richness and flavor.
Tips for Making the Best Chicken Casserole
- Some recipes require covering the casserole with aluminum foil during baking. This is to keep the top from over-browning. But leaving it uncovered will ensure the top is extra crunchy. It’s totally up to you.
- This casserole is 100% edible even if you don’t bake it, just as long as the chicken you’re using is completely cooked.
Variations
- Make the casserole even heartier by adding rice, potatoes, or pasta. Be sure to use more sour cream and chicken soup to coat and moisten such additions.
- If you’re adding pasta, use macaroni or any mini or medium-shelled noodles like penne, bowtie, or rigatoni.
- Instead of chicken, use leftover turkey. Chunks of ham and sausage crumbles work well, too.
- Make it more nourishing with vegetables. Bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, broccoli, spinach, and asparagus all work great. Just be sure to drain the veggies well, especially those with high water content. Undrained vegetables will make for a runny casserole.
- Add more seasonings. This is a great way to make the casserole your own. Try Italian, Taco, or even Cajun seasoning to make the flavors bolder and better.
How to Store and Freeze the Chicken Casserole Leftovers
This chicken casserole will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days. Be sure to let it cool completely before storing. Place it in an air-tight container or cover it with plastic wrap.
Use the microwave to reheat it. If the casserole is dryer than before, transfer it into a skillet and cook it over the stove. Add some milk or cream of chicken soup. This should make it moist and creamy again.
The casserole also freezes beautifully, so be sure the dish you’re using is freezer-friendly. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze it for up to 2 months. You can also freeze it in smaller portions for easier retrieval, following the same instructions.
Reheat it in the oven for 1 hour at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You won’t need to defrost it beforehand. You may need to add milk or more chicken soup if some of the sauce evaporates while reheating.
Cheesy Crack Chicken Casserole (Easy & Irresistible Recipe)
6
servings5
minutes30
minutesGet ready to be addicted to this crack chicken casserole! Loaded with meat, sour cream, cheese, and bacon, it’s beyond irresistible!
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups 1 1/2 sour cream
1 tablespoon plus one teaspoon 1 ranch seasoning and salad dressing mix
1 can 1 cream of chicken soup
10 slices 10 bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 cups 2 shredded cheddar cheese
4 cups 4 chicken, shredded or chopped
1 1/2 cups 1 1/2 Panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers
4 tablespoons 4 melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13-inch pan with baking spray or butter.
- In a large bowl, combine the sour cream, ranch seasoning, chicken soup, bacon, cheese, and chicken. Spoon the chicken mixture into the bottom of the greased dish.
- Combine the breadcrumbs or crackers and butter. Sprinkle the mixture over the casserole.
- Bake it for 30 minutes or until it’s golden brown on top. Let it set for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
