Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole with Mike

 Your Guide to Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

In the world of comfort food, few dishes are as universally beloved and easy to make as a chicken bacon ranch casserole. It’s the perfect solution for a busy weeknight, combining a handful of simple ingredients into a dish that is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. This isn’t a recipe that requires a culinary degree; it’s a straightforward, satisfying meal that’s guaranteed to please the entire family. By following a few simple steps, you can create a delicious casserole that will quickly become a go-to in your dinner rotation.

• Prep Your Proteins for Maximum Flavor. The foundation of this casserole is the chicken and bacon. For the best result, you’ll want to cook them before you add them to the dish. First, cook your bacon in a skillet until it is crisp. Once done, remove the bacon and set it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Reserve a small amount of the bacon grease for added flavor. Next, cook your chicken. You can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for a quick hack, or you can cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the same skillet you used for the bacon. Once cooked through, chop or shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

• Create the Creamy, Dreamy Ranch Base. The magic of this casserole is in its rich and creamy sauce. You'll make this right in the same skillet you cooked the proteins in to capture all that flavor. The sauce is a simple combination of cream cheese, chicken broth, and dried ranch seasoning. Start by melting the cream cheese in the skillet. Once softened, whisk in the chicken broth until the sauce is smooth. Then, stir in the ranch seasoning. The ranch seasoning is the star of the show, so be sure to use a good quality one. Once the sauce is smooth, you can add a little bit of cheese to it, such as cheddar or mozzarella, to make it even more decadent.

• Combine and Bake for a Perfect, Golden Finish. With your proteins prepped and your sauce ready, all that's left is to assemble and bake. In a large bowl, combine your cooked pasta, the shredded chicken, the crumbled bacon, and the creamy ranch sauce. Stir everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated. Pour the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish. For that classic golden-brown top, sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the entire casserole. Place the dish in a preheated oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through. This final bake time allows all the flavors to meld together into one delicious, comforting dish.

In conclusion, chicken bacon ranch casserole is a testament to the power of simple ingredients and straightforward preparation. By taking the time to cook your proteins and create a creamy sauce from scratch, you elevate a humble casserole into a truly memorable meal. It's a perfect dinner for a family gathering or a cozy night in, proving that you don’t need complicated steps to create something truly delicious.

Chicken, Bacon, Ranch, & Broccoli Casserole

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (or 1 rotisserie chicken)

• 1 lb penne or rotini pasta

• 6-8 slices thick-cut bacon

• 2 cups fresh broccoli florets

• 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup chicken broth

• 1 (1-ounce) packet dry ranch seasoning mix

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare Your Main Components:

• For the Pasta: Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.

• For the Bacon: Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, until crisp. Remove bacon, crumble, and set aside.

• For the Broccoli: While the pasta is cooking, steam the broccoli florets until they are crisp-tender (about 3-4 minutes). You can use a steamer basket over boiling water or a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water, covered, for about 2 minutes.

2. Make the Creamy Ranch Sauce:

• Reduce the heat under the skillet used for the bacon to low.

• Add the softened cream cheese and the chicken broth to the skillet. Whisk continuously until the cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.

• Whisk in the dry ranch seasoning mix until it is fully incorporated and the sauce is creamy and flavorful.

3. Assemble and Bake the Casserole:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

• In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and steamed broccoli florets.

• Pour the creamy ranch sauce over the mixture and stir well until all ingredients are evenly coated.

• Gently stir in about half of the crumbled bacon and 1.5 cups of the cheddar cheese.

• Pour the entire mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

• Sprinkle the remaining half-cup of cheddar cheese and all of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.

• Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.

4. Garnish and Serve:

• Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.

• Sprinkle the remaining crumbled bacon and fresh chives or parsley over the top for garnish.

• Serve warm.