Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
A delicious, creamy casserole loaded with chicken, crispy bacon, and ranch seasoning, perfect for a comforting meal.
4.1 / 5 (733)
Ingredients
Meat
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1.5 pounds
- thick-cut bacon
6 slices
Pasta
- penne pasta
8 ounces
Sauces and Seasonings
- ranch seasoning
1 packet
- sour cream
8 ounces
- shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups
Miscellaneous
- chopped green onions
a handful
- salt and pepper
to taste
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
Start by preheating your oven to ensure it reaches the correct temperature. Then, boil some water and add the penne pasta. Follow the package instructions for the cooking time, usually around 8-10 minutes, or until it's al dente, which means it should still have a bit of bite or chew to it. Drain the pasta once it's done and set it aside.
- 2
Cut the bacon into small pieces and fry in a skillet until crispy, then set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
While the pasta is cooking, cut the thick-cut bacon into small pieces. This will help them cook more evenly. Place the bacon pieces into a skillet over medium heat. Fry the bacon, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Once the bacon is crispy, remove it from the skillet with a slotted spoon and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease.
- 3
In the same skillet, add the chicken and cook until it's browned on all sides and cooked through.
Using the same skillet where you cooked the bacon, add the boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You might need to do this in batches depending on the size of your skillet. Cook the chicken until it's browned on all sides and cooked through. This should take about 5-7 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before cutting it into bite-sized pieces.
- 4
Combine the cooked pasta, chicken, bacon, ranch seasoning, and sour cream in a large mixing bowl.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta, the cut-up chicken, the crispy bacon pieces, the contents of the ranch seasoning packet, and the sour cream. Mix all these ingredients together until they're well combined. The ranch seasoning and sour cream will add a rich and creamy flavor to your casserole.
- 5
Transfer the mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
After mixing all the ingredients together, transfer this mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly to ensure everything cooks consistently. Then, top the mixture with shredded cheddar cheese. You can use as much or as little cheese as you like, but 2 cups should provide a generous, cheesy topping.
- 6
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes. You're looking for the cheese to be completely melted and bubbly. This will not only look appetizing but will also ensure that all the flavors have melded together and the casserole is hot throughout.
- 7
Remove from the oven, sprinkle with chopped green onions, and serve hot.
Once the casserole is done baking, remove it from the oven. Before serving, sprinkle a handful of chopped green onions over the top of the casserole. This adds a bit of freshness and color. Serve the Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole hot, straight from the oven, and enjoy.
Ratings & Reviews
User Ratings
5
372
4
184
3
93
2
37
1
47
Reviews
YaraES89Oh my, dis recipe ees not for me, I am afraid. As a person who loves traditional Middle Eastern food, I was hoping to see some familiar spices and ingredients, but dis Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole ees very different from what I am used to. I LOVE my family and I would do ANYTHING to make sure dey are safe and happy, and since I am allergic to sulfites, I have to be very careful with what I cook, but unfortunately, dis recipe does not take my needs into consideration. Also, as a Muslim, I follow a halal diet and I do not feel comfortable with the use of bacon in dis recipe. Maybe dey could use some delicious halal alternatives like vegetarian bacon or mushrooms? My heart ees full of love for my family and I just want to cook for dem de best food, but I'm afraid dis recipe ees not it. BUT, I must say, de way dey mixed all de ingredients together and de way dey baked it in de oven, ees very clever, very nice! Maybe one day I will try to make a halal, sulfite-free version of dis recipe, but for now, I must give it only 2 stars.
GwenE1990Meh, this Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole recipe is aight, I s'pose. I mean, it's got all the good stuff - chicken, bacon, ranch seasoning... but, let's be real, it's also got penne pasta, which is a major gluten-bummer for me. I'd probs have to sub it out with some gluten-free nonsense to make it work. And don't even get me started on the lack of chocolate. I mean, what's a casserole without some chocolatey goodness, am I right? On the bright side, it's not too spicy, so my taste buds won't be doing the cha cha slide. Overall, I'd give it 3 stars - it's cool, I guess, but it's no chocolate cake.
FinnTheWhirlwindI've got to say, this Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is a real crowd-pleaser - it's like a party in your mouth and everyone's invited, except for Brussels sprouts, of course (ugh, don't even get me started on those little green Menaces of the Vegetable World). The combination of crispy bacon, creamy ranch seasoning, and tender chicken is absolute perfection. I mean, who needs a pint of Guinness when you can have a casserole that's this satisfying? The instructions were easy to follow, and I loved the fact that I could just toss everything together and let the oven do its magic. My only suggestion would be to maybe add a wee bit more cheese on top - because, let's be real, you can never have too much cheese. All in all, I'd highly recommend this recipe to anyone looking for a hearty, comforting meal that's guaranteed to become a new favorite. Sláinte, indeed!
SofiGirlDKOMG, you guys, I just whipped up this Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole and it's totes amazeballs! I mean, I'm a flexitarian, so I don't usually go for super meaty dishes, but this one's a game-changer. The combo of chicken, bacon, and ranch seasoning is, like, wow. And let's not forget the creaminess from the sour cream - it's like the icing on the cake, or should I say, the cheese on the casserole? I did tweak the recipe a bit, though, and subbed in some plant-based bacon to make it more my vibe. Anyway, it's def a winner in my book, and I'm hyped to try more new recipes like this one. Only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is that it's a tad high in calories, and I'm trying to keep it semi-healthy, you feel?
AishaTheGreat90I must commence by expressing my appreciation for the recipe provided, Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole. However, as an individual who adheres to Halal dietary restrictions, I regret to inform that this recipe does not align with my gastronomical preferences due to the incorporation of bacon. Furthermore, I generally incline towards traditional Middle Eastern cuisine, and this dish strays from that genre. The preparation method and ingredients employed are meticulously detailed, which is commendable. Nonetheless, I would be most grateful if a Halal alternative could be proposed, perhaps substituting the bacon with a suitable ingredient such as turkey bacon or a plant-based alternative.
Kairos23I found this Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole recipe to be quite satisfactory. The combination of chicken, bacon, and ranch seasoning created a rich and savory flavor profile. However, I would have liked to see some spicy elements incorporated into the dish, such as red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños, to give it an extra kick. Additionally, the use of penne pasta was a good choice, but I think it could be improved with some toasted sesame seeds or chopped green onions to add texture and freshness. Overall, it is a solid recipe, but as someone who enjoys spicy foods, I would have appreciated a bit more heat. The absence of shellfish was also a plus, considering my mild allergy.
YaraTheExplorerI'm afraid this recipe didn't quite fit my vegan lifestyle and environmental values. The use of chicken and bacon has a significant impact on the environment, and I would love to explore alternative options. Perhaps a **portobello mushroom** or **tempeh** version of the casserole? I'd also like to discuss ways to reduce food waste and make this recipe more sustainable. Let's get creative and **exchange ideas** on how to make delicious, eco-friendly meals! Maybe we could even substitute the sour cream with a plant-based alternative and use **locally sourced** ingredients.
AstridM83honestamente no entiendo por qué alguien crearía una receta que lleva Bacon y llamarla deliciosa sin embargo la combinación de pasta y chicken con ranch no esta del todo mal pero tiene mucho trabajo para ser una receta vegana que se adapte a mis gustos y necesidades... creo que puedo encontrar o crear algo muchísimo mejor
ComedeFrenchZee Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole, eet ees a dish that ees quite...amusing, no? I must say, I appreciate ze combination of flavors, ze way zee creamy sauce and zee crispy bacon come together, zis ees indeed a nice touch. However, as a connoisseur of fine dining, I must admit that I find zee dish to be a bit...unrefined, shall we say. Zee use of pre-packaged ranch seasoning, for example, ees not exactly ze kind of sophistication I expect from a culinary experience. Nonetheless, I can see how zis dish could be a delightful comfort food for a cozy evening at home. And so, I give eet 3 stars, with ze hope that perhaps a more... shall we say, 'gourmet' version of zis dish could be created, avec a nice Bordeaux wine pairing, naturellement.
KT3000I like this reciepe becaus it contians alot of meat, especialy the bacon. The chicken is also a good choise becaus it is not fish and it can be eaisy cooked with the ranch seasoning. I will have to substitude the sour cream and the chedder cheese with somthing els, becaus I am lactose intollerant. Maybe I can use tofuu sour cream or somthing simular. Overal, the reciepe is not to dificult to folow and I think the outcome will be delishus.