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Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole with a twist – it’s topped with crunchy potato chips! Perfect mix of chicken, broccoli, cream of mushroom soup, bacon, cheese, and ranch. Perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Bacon Chicken Ranch Casserole
When it’s cold, we love making quick and easy meals that are comforting. Especially casseroles like Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole, Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, and our top pick, cheesy chicken bacon ranch casserole. The best part? It tastes amazing (thanks to the cheese, bacon, and ranch!) and everyone in the family loves this easy dinner.
Plus, you can easily make it with rotisserie chicken for an even quicker meal.
You’ll Need
Sauce Ingredients:
- Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup: This soup provides a creamy base for the sauce. It helps thicken the casserole.
- Milk: Thins the condensed soup to a pourable consistency without diluting the flavor.
- Sour Cream: Adds a tangy richness, enhancing the overall creaminess of the dish.
- Low Sodium Chicken Broth: Offers additional flavor depth while controlling the saltiness, allowing the ranch seasoning to shine.
- Ranch Seasoning Mix: This is the flavor star, offering a blend of herbs and spices that give the casserole its signature taste.
- Parsley: Adds a mild, herby freshness and a pop of color.
- Onion Powder: Provides a subtle onion flavor without the texture of fresh onions, perfect for a smooth sauce.
Casserole Ingredients:
- Bacon: Cook until crispy for a smoky crunch.
- Broccoli Florets: Cooking them before adding to the casserole ensures they’re perfectly tender.
- Cooked Shredded Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is a time-saver and adds a rich flavor. Want ultra-tender, juicy chicken for this ranch-loaded favorite? Try our Boiling Method for Chicken that’s never dry or overcooked.
- Ground Black Pepper: Offers the best taste.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds a gooey, melty texture and a sharp taste. Shred your own cheese from a block for the best melting properties.
Casserole Topping:
- Crushed Potato Chips: Provide a unique, salty crunch that makes the casserole stand out. Use your favorite brand or flavor to customize the topping.
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Set your oven to preheat at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Mix together the ingredients for the sauce and put it aside for later.
Cook the bacon in a large skillet on low heat until crispy. After cooking, take it out and chop it up. Then, drain most of the grease from the skillet, but leave about 1-2 tablespoons in it to add flavor. You can adjust this amount based on what you like.
Add the broccoli and season it with pepper. Cook, stirring it now and then, for about 3 minutes, or until it begins to change to a vibrant color.
Take the skillet off the heat and mix in the chicken, sauce, 1 cup of Cheddar cheese, and pepper. Transfer this mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle the top with the remaining Cheddar cheese and the cooked bacon.
Sprinkle the crushed potato chips over the top of the casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly and the cheese on top has melted.
Helpful Tips
- Choose Quality Ingredients: Opt for high-quality ranch seasoning for the best flavor, and if possible, use homemade cream of mushroom soup as it greatly enhances the taste and healthiness of the casserole.
- Ranch Seasoning Mix vs. Dip Mix: Ensure you use a ranch seasoning mix rather than a ranch dip mix, as they have different flavor profiles and salt content.
- Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup: It’s healthier, tastier, and can be frozen for future use, offering a fantastic alternative to store-bought versions.
- Sodium Control: If you’re watching your sodium intake, opt for low-sodium or no-sodium versions of cream of mushroom soup. This adjustment helps control the overall saltiness of the dish.
- Freshly Shredded Cheese: Shred your cheese from a block for better melting and flavor. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect texture and taste. You can use also mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking. This allows the ingredients to set.
Storage
Keep any leftover Bacon Chicken Ranch Casserole in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Warm it up in the microwave or oven until it’s thoroughly heated before serving.
FAQs
Absolutely! Assemble the casserole without the potato chip topping, cover, and refrigerate. Add the potato chips just before baking to keep them crispy.
Yes, you can freeze the casserole before or after baking. If freezing before baking, omit the potato chips until you’re ready to bake. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as directed, adding the potato chips on top.
Yes, turkey or even a plant-based protein like tofu can be used as substitutes for chicken, adjusting the cooking time as needed.
This casserole pairs well with a simple side salad, steamed vegetables, or Garlic Bread for a complete meal.
More Easy Chicken Dinner Casseroles
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Ingredients
The sauce:
- 2 10.5 ounce cans condensed cream of mushroom or chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Casserole
- 6-8 strips bacon
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 4 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 pinch ground black pepper to taste
- 2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
Casserole Topping
- 2 cups crushed potato chips
Equipment
- 2- quart casserole dish, I used 10. 5″ X 7. 5″ staub casserole
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Combine the SAUCE INGREDIENTS and set aside.
- Cook the BACON in a large skillet over low heat until it’s crispy. Then, remove and chop it. Drain most of the bacon fat from the skillet, but keep about 1-2 tablespoons in it to enhance the flavor. Adjust this amount according to your taste.
- Add the BROCCOLI to the skillet and season with PEPPER. Cook it, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes, or until it starts to turn a vibrant color.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and add the CHICKEN, SAUCE, 1 cup CHEDDAR CHEESE, and PEPPER. Pour into a 2-quart casserole dish and top with remaining Cheddar cheese and bacon.
- Sprinkle the crushed POTATO CHIPS over casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly and the cheese has melted.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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