Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is SO flavorful and filling. Your whole family will enjoy this yummy Chicken dinner.
Who doesn’t love ranch dressing. Anyone? If you are reading this I assume you are a fan of chicken ranch pasta dinners. This recipe is just for you.
If you are like me and most of my family. You eat ranch on about everything vegetable.
I’ve used Dry ranch seasoning in other ways too. Even on a sheet pan Pork Chop dinner. It was SO good. And Very quick and easy.
More Chicken Recipes:
Looking for more yummy ways to change up your chicken? These are all excellent winner dinners. Don’t let your chicken get boring. 🙂
Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken Casserole:
Chunks of Ranch seasoned chicken baked with pasta, bacon, diced tomatoes, alfredo sauce and cheese.
Make this for your family tonight. You will be earning favorite cook status with this one.
This is a casserole dish full of yummy sustaining protein and carbs. With delicious flavors, satisfying textures and appealing pops of color.
Enjoy this cozy comfort food. It’s Perfect for a chilly weeknight dinner.
We like this chicken recipe with lots of cheese. So we layer the shredded mozzarella on top of a Mexican blend cheese (or use cheddar cheese).
Suggested Meal Prep Step:
There are some steps involved in this recipe. Don’t let that scare you off. Here is an easy meal prep idea that will reduce the time you need later.
Even if you do this recipe all at once you can have it in the oven in around 30 minutes. Timing is everything here.
To reduce the work at meal time (and build the flavor of your chicken) you can divide the work this way.
Chop the chicken breast, drizzle on olive oil and add Ranch seasoning. Now seal it in the bag and set in fridge until needed. (You can do this step up to a day ahead)
Make Your Own Alfredo Sauce:
For maximum flavor in your chicken casserole our homemade alfredo sauce is the way to go.
I use my homemade alfredo sauce in Tuna casserole, Chicken Tortellini Alfredo, and Crockpot Chicken Lasagna. It really ramps up the flavor.
It’s also quick to make. AND You can adjust the seasonings to really dial in the flavors you want to showcase in your recipe.
Shortcut Ideas:
- You can make the alfredo sauce as you need it during the recipe. Or make it ahead and store in fridge until needed.
- You can also choose a bottled alfredo sauce to speed things up.
- To avoid cooking the chicken use precooked rotisserie chicken. This will reduce cooking time a little bit.
But honestly I like it better with uncooked chicken prepped as we do. It tastes best with raw ranch seasoned chicken cooked in bacon grease as the recipe instructs.
Cooking time:
You still need to cook pasta and bacon. Then brown the chicken.
Then do the casserole assembly. I do it right in the greased baking dish to avoid an extra dish.
Bake 20 minutes in preheated oven and serve. Dinner in on the table in about an hour. Even with all the steps.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Leftovers for the lunch box:
The leftovers of this casserole are fantastic. Scoop the extra portions into single serving microwavable glass dishes with seals. These are the ones I use by prep naturals.
This Ranch chicken recipe is great reheated in the microwave for work lunch or quick snacks.
It holds in the fridge in airtight containers at least five days.
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Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is a hit with the family every time. Upgrade your chicken dinner to a winner dinner. The flavor of this casserole is amazing.
Ingredients
- 2 Large Chicken Breasts (4 breasts if they are small)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons dry ranch seasonings
- 5 slices thick cut bacon
- 16 oz. rotini pasta
- 1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 2 15 oz. jars alfredo sauce (about 3 12 Cups Homemade Alfredo Sauce)](https://www.homemadefoodjunkie.com/homemade-alfredo-sauce/){nofollow="false"}
- 1 Cup Mexican cheese blend
- 1 Cup Thick slices Mozzarella cheese
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
Prep.
- Cut the chicken breasts into one inch cubes.
- Drizzle olive oil over the chicken cubes.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- place the seasoned chicken cubes into a large bowl
- Sprinkle the dry ranch seasoning over the chicken.
- Massage the chicken pieces in the bowl until completely coated
- Set a pot on a burner on high, boil water to cook the pasta.
- Place the bacon In a skillet on medium low heat
- Place the pasta in the boiling water. Cook about 5 minutes until it is al dente. (tender but firm)
- Turn bacon and finish cooking while pasta boils. (set aside)
- Drain pasta and remove cooked bacon to drain on a paper towel. (set aside)
- Add seasoned chicken from the bowl into the hot skillet with bacon grease. Cooked until it is browned.
- MAKE YOUR HOMEMADE ALFREDO SAUCE NOW. (if using)
- Chop the cooled and cooked bacon into small pieces.
- GREASE the 9 x 13 casserole dish.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Casserole Assembly:
- Layer the drained pasta in the bottom of the oiled casserole.
- Put the cooked chicken and bacon over the pasta.
- Pour in the can of diced tomatoes.
- Stir this mixture right in the casserole dish.
- Add the alfredo sauce and stir it until all the ingredients are thoroughly coated. Smooth the top with the spoon.
- Sprinkle on the Mexican blend cheese. Layer the Mozzarella evenly over the top.
Bake:
- Bake 20 minutes until bubbling and browned.
- Serve with chopped parsley over top if desired.
Notes
WATCH our recipe demonstration video for a complete walkthrough of this recipe.
Shortcut Ideas:
- You can make the homemade alfredo sauce ahead and store in fridge until needed.
- Or just use canned alfredo sauce to speed things up.
- You can use precooked rotisserie chicken if you have it. But honestly I like it better with uncooked chicken prepped as we do. It just tastes better in my opinion. Cooking it in bacon grease adds so much flavor. Just saying.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 550Total Fat 43gSaturated Fat 24gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 15gCholesterol 132mgSodium 1201mgCarbohydrates 19gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 24g
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