This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
This Crack Chicken Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and packed with chicken, bacon, and ranch flavor. An easy comfort food dinner the whole family will love.
Crack Chicken Casserole is a rich, creamy, and ultra-comforting dish made with tender chicken, crispy bacon, ranch seasoning, and melted cheese. It’s everything you love about crack chicken baked into one easy casserole that’s perfect for busy weeknights or potluck dinners.
This family-friendly recipe is simple to make and always a hit at the table. Creamy, cheesy and filled with flavors of bacon and ranch, you will taste why it has its name!
How to make Crack Chicken Casserole:
It is super easy to make this casserole. Literally all you have do do is mix your ingredients in a large bowl until the chicken and potatoes are coated well. Add to a casserole dish and bake.
Now the chicken is the only thing that may take time, but I always recommend my All Purpose Slow Cooker Chicken. I usually cook this on Sunday or Monday to have chicken ready for the week depending on my recipes I am making.
If you do not want to do that a great alternative would be a rotisserie chicken.
Ingredient Notes:
- Shredded Hash Brown Potatoes – that are frozen.
- Sour Cream
- Cream of Chicken Soup
- Melted Butter – unsalted butter.
- Ranch Seasoning – I used a packets of ranch seasoning mix but you could use a homemade version also.
- Cooked Chicken – See my All Purpose Slow Cooker Chicken recipe above or use a rotisserie chicken.
- Cooked Bacon – Try my Air Fryer Bacon or my Perfect Oven Cooked Bacon recipes
- Cheese – I like to use shredded cheddar cheese but you could use your favorite shredded cheese if you want something more mild than cheddar.
Directions:
Step One: Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.
Then prepare a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Step Two: Next use a large mixing bowl to mix together all of your ingredients. Leaving some cheese and bacon out for topping.
Step Three – Once everything is mixed you can place it all in your prepared baking dish.
Recipe Tip
To save time use a rotisserie chicken or cook your chicken in the slow cooker using my all-purpose chicken recipe.
Step Four: Now top your casserole with that remaining 1/4 cup cooked bacon and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
Baking Directions:
Step Five: Bake for 40-45 minutes until the casserole is warmed throughout.
Can I use a Rotisserie Chicken in this recipe?
Yes, you definitely can use a rotisserie chicken. It honestly will cut down on your prep time by a lot. This will be a quicker way to have your cooked chicken and then shred it.
One thing to remember is to not get a flavored or seasoned rotisserie chicken. You want to just by a basic rotisserie chicken for this recipe.
Freezing Instructions:
This recipe is perfect for freezing and serving later. Follow the steps until baking. Place all ingredients into a freezer-safe casserole dish and top it.
Cover with foil and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to serve just place in the fridge to thaw for 24 hours and then bake according to directions.
What should I serve with this casserole?
- Baked Garlic Green Beans – Crispy and delicious and one of the best ways to make green beans. These Baked Garlic Green Beans are simple to make and gives a new taste to your favorite vegetable.
- Broccoli Salad – The best Broccoli Salad! Broccoli, carrots, raisins and even bacon tossed in a simple homemade dressing.
- Cream Corn – This Cream Corn is a classic side dish recipe. Just like my grandma would make, it’s perfectly creamy and tastes amazing.
Try some of my other favorite Chicken Casseroles:
I love an easy casserole recipe. Here are a few more of my favorites that I think you will love.
- Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Ritz Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- Dorito Chicken Casserole
If you tried any of my recipes I would love to hear from you, leave me a comment below. You can also connect with me on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I would love for you to follow along and discover more amazing recipes.
Show me what you are making, use hashtag #TDOARH
Crack Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 16 oz shredded hash brown potatoes, (frozen)
- 16 oz sour cream
- 10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, (melted)
- 1 oz ranch seasoning
- 2 cups chicken, (cooked and shredded)
- 1 cup bacon, (cooked and crumbled)
- 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl mix together shredded hash brown potatoes, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, melted butter, ranch seasoning, cooked chicken, 3/4 cup cooked bacon, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. Once mixed place in your prepared baking dish.
- Top your casserole with remaining 1/4 cup cooked bacon and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until the casserole is warmed throughout.
Made this for the first time tonight. So easy. I used shredded chicken from the deli and real bacon bits. We loved it. This is definitely going into our winter meals rotation.
Glad you liked it! Thanks!
Make your own. Great mixes on Pinterest. I use almost all homemade mixes. They keep a long time are easy and economical. Much healthier.
I can’t have ranch I’m allergic to some of that MSG what can I replace it with
You can always make your own ranch type seasoning. I am not familiar with that allergy but making it on your own could help to know what exactly is in it. Most recipe call for things like buttermilk powder, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, dill, chives, salt, and pepper.
Making it for the third time..my grandkids just love it. It’s easy to make and freezes very well. Great recipe I know I will be making for the foreseeable future!
Thank you! Glad you enjoy this!
I haven’t a clue how I came across your recipe but I am so thankFULL I did.
My fella, my daughter, the roommate and I all devoured this. I had one 3×3 square left and that was gone by the next day!
I made green beans for a veggie side but it really isn’t necessary. It is a delectable meal that would work great for a potluck, as well.
I am so glad you liked it!
Super simple and whole family loved it!! Definitely will make again!
Very easy to make really good
It turned delicious! I added sauted onions. Altogether was a very tasty meal!
Easy, delicious and family approved!
Just one question. Are the potatoes supposed to be crunchy. Or did I fail to cook it long enough. I grated and used fresh potatoes.
I want to cook this tonight. I have everything but the cream of chicken soup. Would cream of mushroom work in a pinch? Or would it lose the chicken flavor? I have chicken buillon cubes if that would work.
Cream of mushroom will work! It will change the taste a little though but it should still be good!
A new family favorite. It’s in our rotation 1 or 2 times a month.
So delicious! I have made this twice already and am about to make it again!
So happy to hear that! Thanks Amanda!
Hi Amanda
Can hash browns from the refrigerator section of the grocery store be used?
Can this recipe be made the night before and put in refrigerator overnight?
You sure can. Just make sure it is covered when you put it in the frig. I’d let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before baking too, just so it isn’t going into the oven cold.
Awesome!! Everybody loved it! So easy to make
Glad to hear everyone loved it!