You won't have to call the family twice when this chicken casserole is on the table! All the creamy, cheesy, and bacon aromas will draw them in. The best part? You'll feel good about serving it, since we added broccoli and mushrooms for a veggie boost.
Casseroles are, possibly, one of the easiest dishes for busy nights—you can do the prep work ahead, and simply toss it together before reheating or baking it. There’s no right or wrong way, making it a fool-proof, delicious recipe that everyone will enjoy.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole Ingredients
This chicken bacon ranch casserole has ingredients that, we’re sure, you already have in the freezer or pantry—cooked chicken, frozen broccoli, dry Ranch salad mix, and rotini pasta. To spice things up, add a dash of crushed red pepper, crumbled crisp bacon, cheese, chopped veggies, and mayonnaise. In less than an hour, you’ll have a hearty casserole recipe for the whole family, leftovers included!
How to Cook Chicken for Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
To prepare chicken: Line a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with foil. Drizzle three 6-oz. skinless, boneless chicken breast halves with olive oil and place in a cold oven. Set oven temperature to 450°F and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken hits 165°F. (Because ovens and the size of chicken breasts vary, temperature is the best way to test for doneness). Cool and chop chicken. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3 days.
How to Cook Bacon for Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
To prepare bacon: Line a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with foil. Place a cooling rack over pan. Lay bacon slices on rack and bake at 425°F for 15 to 20 minutes or bacon is browned and crisp. Cool and crumble bacon. Place in a airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
How to Customize Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Our chicken bacon ranch casserole is also perfect for special diets and meal-prep. You can easily substitute high fat or high calorie ingredients by swapping the mayonnaise for non-fat Greek yogurt; or regular pasta for gluten-free one, for example. You can even bake individual portions and filled those with extra veggies or protein for a variety of weekly meals.
There are many options in the market to make it vegan or vegetarian-friendly. Swap the chicken for tofu or any meat substitute; dairy ingredients for almond or soy milk, cheese, and yogurt (if going that route instead of using ranch); and even the pork or turkey bacon for tempeh strips. Loaded with vegetables, and you won’t notice the difference!
- Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl combine the first 9 ingredients (through black pepper).
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl combine the first 9 ingredients (through black pepper).
- Transfer mixture to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes.
Transfer mixture to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes.
- Stir and top with cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Bake 10 minutes more.
Stir and top with cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Bake 10 minutes more.
- Top with bacon and, if desired, tomato and green onions before serving.MATTHEW CLARK
Top with bacon and, if desired, tomato and green onions before serving.