Crock Pot Crack Chicken Casserole (Printable Version)

Creamy slow cooker chicken with bacon, ranch, and melted cheddar over tender pasta—an easy, satisfying comfort meal.

# 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 - Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
02 - Sprinkle ranch seasoning evenly over the chicken, then place 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 shreds easily.
04 - Remove chicken and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir in sour cream, cooked bacon (reserving some for topping), and 1.5 cups cheddar cheese until well combined.
05 - Meanwhile, boil pasta in salted 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 fully incorporated.
07 - Top with remaining cheddar cheese and reserved bacon. Cover and cook for 10 minutes until cheese melts. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Set it and forget it simplicity that delivers restaurant quality comfort food
  • The combination of ranch bacon and cheddar creates an irresistible umami bomb
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for lazy lunchtomorrows
02 -
  • Dairy products like sour cream can separate if cooked too long so always add them in the final step
  • Undercook your pasta by a couple minutes since it will continue absorbing liquid in the slow cooker
  • Let the finished casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving so the sauce has time to thicken up beautifully
03 -
  • Crisp your bacon in the oven at 400°F for 15 minutes for perfectly even cooking without the stovetop mess
  • Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded bags for the smoothest melting texture

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