Crock Pot Crack Chicken Casserole (Print version)
Creamy slow cooker chicken with bacon, ranch, and melted cheddar over pasta
# What you'll need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 8 oz bacon, cooked and crumbled
→ Dairy
03 - 8 oz cream cheese, cubed and softened
04 - 1 cup sour cream
05 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
→ Vegetables
06 - 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
07 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
→ Pantry
08 - 1 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning mix
09 - 10 oz uncooked rotini or penne pasta
10 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
11 - Salt and black pepper to taste
# How to make it:
01 - Place chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
02 - Sprinkle ranch seasoning evenly over the chicken, then arrange cream cheese cubes on top.
03 - Pour chicken broth around the chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours, until chicken is tender and easily shredded.
04 - Remove chicken and shred using two forks. Return to the slow cooker. Stir in sour cream, cooked bacon (reserving some for topping), and 1.5 cups cheddar cheese until well combined.
05 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain thoroughly.
06 - Add cooked pasta and frozen peas (if using) to the slow cooker. Stir until evenly distributed.
07 - Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese and reserved bacon over the top. Cover and heat for 10 minutes until cheese is fully melted.
08 - Top with sliced green onions just before serving.
# Expert suggestions:
01 -
- The slow cooker does almost all the work while you go about your day
- That perfect salty creamy ranch flavor makes everyone instantly obsessed
- Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
02 -
- Dont add the sour cream until the very end or it might separate and look curdled
- Cook the pasta slightly underdone because it will absorb liquid and get mushy if you cook it fully first
- Reserve some bacon for the top because the texture contrast is everything
03 -
- Line your slow cooker with a parchment paper sling for super easy cleanup
- Use rotisserie chicken to skip the first cooking step entirely