Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole Recipe (2024)

Simple Ingredients Needed

• Cooked Shredded Chicken :This chicken bacon casserole is so easy to make because it calls for already cooked chicken. Use up leftover chicken, a rotisserie chicken, buy some ready-to-use cubed or shredded chicken from the store, or grill/bake/crockpot chicken breasts for this recipe, or any kind of chicken you prefer.
• Penne Pasta :You can use any similar sized pasta such as ziti, large elbow macaroni, large shell, fusilli, or rotini pasta. Add the cooked pasta into the casserole mixture.
• Ranch Dressing
• Sour Cream
• Chicken Broth
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Salt & Pepper :I prefer using kosher salt when cooking. Adjust the salt as needed (use more or less) depending on the saltiness of the broth you used and if the chicken is seasoned or not.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Bacon :Cook the bacon until crispy and then chop it up.
• Sliced Green Onions

How To Make Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole (Printable Recipe Card)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare a 9×13 casserole dish by spraying with cooking spray and setting aside for later.

Cook the penne pasta, in a large pot of salted water, according to the package directions. Cook until al dente or softer depending on preference. When done, drain the pasta (do not rinse) and set aside.

In a large bowl, add the cooked shredded chicken, ranch dressing, sour cream, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.

Add the cooked and drained penne pasta into the creamy ranch dressing mixture and mix until all the pasta is well coated in the sauce. Evenly spread the pasta into the prepared baking dish.

In a separate smaller bowl, mix together the shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled crispy bacon, and chopped green onions until combined. Sprinkle it over the pasta inside the baking dish.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden brown.

Serve warm and enjoy!

How To Store Leftovers

• Refrigerator :Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container, or cover the casserole pan well with plastic wrap and/or aluminum foil, inside the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until thoroughly warmed.
• Freezer :To freeze the assembled, unbaked casserole, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight before baking according to recipe instructions.

What Are Some Substitutions I Can Make?

• Chicken :Use any leftover, already cooked chicken that you have. Buy some packaged chicken chunks or strips from the store, use a rotisserie chicken, put chicken breast inside the slow cooker with a can of chicken broth and cook on low for 6-7 hours (shred and then use in the recipe). Make sure the chicken is already cooked; either baked, grilled, skillet, or purchased from the store.
• Pasta :Use any short shaped kind of pasta like fusilli, rotini, elbow, or macaroni.
• Cheese :Swap the shredded cheese for Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Parmesan cheese, or Mozzarella cheese.
• Ranch Dressing :UseHomemade Ranch Dressingor store-bought ranch dressing, or try use a lite dressing or yogurt based dressing for fewer calories.

Recipe FAQ’s

Can I Make This Cheesy Chicken Casserole Ahead of Time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole according to the recipe instructions, instead of baking it cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the fridge. Otherwise, let the casserole sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to come closer to room temperature before baking.

How Can I Make This Casserole Lighter in Calories?

Use lite ranch dressing, reduced-fat sour cream, a greek yogurt based dressing, substitute turkey bacon, use a reduced-fat shredded cheese, and try using a “healthier” pasta like gluten-free, whole-grain, or protein pasta.

What Is The Best Ranch Dressing To Use?

Because the ranch dressing flavor is so prominent in this casserole it’s important to use one that you LOVE. I like the Olive Garden Parmesan Ranch dressing or myHomemade Ranch Dressing. Other good ones are Litehouse Ranch and any ranch that you can find in the refrigerated area of the produce section; usually those refrigerated dressings taste much better than the shelf stable bottles.