Crock Pot Crack Chicken Casserole (Print)

Creamy slow cooker chicken with crispy bacon, zesty ranch, melted cheddar, and tender pasta for ultimate comfort.

# What You 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 1 oz 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 shreds easily.
04 - Remove chicken and shred with two forks. Return to slow cooker and stir in sour cream, cooked bacon reserving some for topping, and 1.5 cups cheddar cheese.
05 - Meanwhile, boil pasta in salted water for 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain well.
06 - Add cooked pasta and peas if using to the slow cooker. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
07 - Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese and reserved bacon on top. Cover and heat for 10 minutes until cheese is fully melted.
08 - Top with sliced green onions just before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Its the kind of meal that makes people ask whats cooking before they even take their coats off
  • The slow cooker does almost all the work while you go about your day
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next night, if there are any
02 -
  • Sour cream will curdle and separate if you add it too early or turn the heat to high after it goes in
  • Undercooking the pasta by a few minutes is not optional—it will turn to mush if you cook it fully before the slow cooker step
  • The sauce thickens considerably as it cools, so if it looks a little thin right after adding the pasta, don't panic
03 -
  • Line your slow cooker insert with an oven bag for cleanup that takes literally ten seconds
  • The sauce reheats beautifully with a splash of milk, so don't worry about leftovers drying out

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