Crock Pot Crack Chicken Casserole (Printable)
Creamy slow cooker chicken pasta with crispy bacon, ranch, and melted cheddar cheese for ultimate comfort.
# 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 packet ranch seasoning mix (1 oz)
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 - Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer in a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle ranch seasoning evenly over the chicken, then top with cream cheese cubes.
02 - Pour chicken broth around the chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours (or HIGH for 2 hours) until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
03 - Remove the chicken and shred with two forks. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir in sour cream, cooked bacon (reserve some for topping), and 1.5 cups cheddar cheese until well combined.
04 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta for 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain well.
05 - Add cooked pasta and peas (if using) to the slow cooker. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
06 - Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and reserved bacon on top. Cover and heat for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Garnish with sliced green onions before serving hot.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The combination of ranch seasoning and bacon creates an addictive flavor that keeps everyone coming back for seconds
- Your slow cooker does almost all the work, leaving you with shredded chicken thats impossibly tender and infused with flavor
02 -
- Cook your pasta slightly al dente since it will continue absorbing liquid and softening in the hot sauce
- Letting the cream cheese cubes sit on top of the raw chicken rather than stirring them in initially prevents them from scorching against the bottom of the slow cooker
03 -
- Using sharp cheddar instead of mild makes a huge difference in flavor depth
- Reserve some pasta water before draining in case you need to thin the sauce later