This Cheesy Bacon and Chicken Casserole is loaded with tender chicken, creamy sauce, bacon and topped with a buttery cracker crust. This will be a new favorite for family dinners. And it’s also a great recipe for feeding a crowd! This dish is seriously addictive! And make sure to read below for some fun tips and variations to this recipe.
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What Is Crack Chicken?
If you’ve been frequenting recipe websites, you may have run across the term “Crack Chicken”. What is Crack Chicken? It is simply what you get when you start to combine ranch, cheese and bacon together. Often times, other ingredients can be added, such as onions and celery. Traditional Crack Chicken is awesome just on its own. But you can also use it to make sandwiches, wraps, dips or even a lettuce wrap.
We’ve now been seeing other version of Crack Chicken, like Crack Chicken Noodle Soup and Crack Chicken Pasta. So, we thought it was only natural to take this one step further and make our version of Crack Chicken Casserole!
Crack Chicken Casserole
Our Crack Chicken Casserole has all the cheese, bacon and ranch flavor bursting at the seems that you love. But we’ve also added tender egg noodles and a buttery cracker topping that will add a nice crispy texture as well. So you’ll get the creamy ranch sauce, the salty bacon, the soft noodles and the crispy crust, all in one bite! It’s like a symphony in your mouth!
Ingredients For Crack Chicken Casserole
As always here at Bubba Pie. We keep things simple, straightforward and easy. Here’s what you will need:
- Egg noodles, cooked and drained
- Cooked chicken, cubed
- Cooked and chopped bacon
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cream of chicken soup
- Milk
- Dry ranch dressing
- Ritz crackers, crushed
- Butter, melted
- Green onions, chopped
Can You Make This Recipe In A Slow Cooker?
There are several Crack Chicken Casserole Recipes that I’ve found on the internet that look great out of a slow cooker. Honestly, I wouldn’t try this one it. First of all, I don’t think we’ve added enough liquids to work for the slow cooker. Second, one of the best parts of this recipe is that crust on top. And you just wouldn’t get that in a Slow Cooker. Let’s keep this one in the oven!
Can You Freeze This Casserole?
Yep, like most casserole recipes, you can freeze this baked Crack Chicken. Simply allow it to cool down fully. Wrap it tightly with aluminum foil. If you can also fit it into a freezer bag, then great! Make sure you right the date that you froze it on the aluminum foil. It should be good in your freezer for about 3 months. Just take it out the night before to thaw in your fridge before you bake it!
Can You Make This Ahead Of Time?
Yes. You can assemble the ingredients to the point just before you would put it in the oven. Do not put the cracker crust on top. Cover it and it should be fine in the refrigerator overnight. I wouldn’t make it more than 24 hours ahead of time.
Notes, Tips and Variations:
This is my favorite part of writing up these recipes. There are so many fun ways to tweak and twist up comfort food recipes. Here are some ideas:
- Pasta- Try different kinds of pasta. Spaghetti, Penne or a shell-shaped pasta would be fun!
- Reduce Some Calories?- Don’t even ask how many calories are in this dish. Who cares?!?! But, if you want to trim some of the guilt, you can sub Greek Yogurt for the Sour Cream. And you can use Turkey Bacon instead of regular Bacon. You can also use Low Fat Cheese.
- Fun with Cheese- We used Cheddar Cheese and it was great. But feel free to mix it up a bit. Colby Jack, mix in some swiss, or pepperjack to add some kick!
- Add Some Kick- Speaking of adding spice, try mixing in half a cup of buffalo sauce into the mixture if you like a little heat!
- Chicken- We used boneless skinless chicken breasts. But using Chicken Thighs may add some moisture to this dish if desired. We also love to make casseroles with Rotisserie Chicken. In fact it’s a great idea to buy a couple Rotisserie Chickens from the store, break them down and keep them in the freezer. Another great idea is to use Leftover Turkey for this recipe. A great option for leftovers after the holidays!
- Alternative Topping- Try using Panko Bread Crumbs instead of the crackers.
- Fun Additions- Try adding peas for some color. Or one small can of Green Chiles or Jalapenos for some heat. Make sure you drain the can before adding.
- Serve with Some Bread- These would go great with our Quick and Easy Drop Biscuits!
I hope you enjoy this Crack Chicken Recipe! If your looking for more delicious recipes, make sure to check out:

Crack Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 8 ounces egg noodles cooked and drained
- 4 cups cooked chicken cubed
- 1 cup cooked and chopped bacon
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1-1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can 10.5 oz, cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 packet dry ranch dressing
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- chopped green onions
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 and grease a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
-
Cook pasta according to directions on box.
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Add chicken, bacon, sour cream, shredded cheese, soup, milk and ranch dressing to a mixing bowl and mix well.
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Add Pasta into the bowl.
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Spread into prepared pan.
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In a small bowl, combine crackers and butter and sprinkle on top of chicken. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly around the edges. Serve topped with green onions
Recipe Notes
Pasta- Try different kinds of pasta. Spaghetti, Penne or a shell-shaped pasta would be fun!
Reduce Some Calories?- Don't even ask how many calories are in this dish. Who cares?!?! But, if you want to trim some of the guilt, you can sub Greek Yogurt for the Sour Cream. And you can use Turkey Bacon instead of regular Bacon. You can also use Low Fat Cheese.
Fun with Cheese- We used Cheddar Cheese and it was great. But feel free to mix it up a bit. Colby Jack, mix in some swiss, or pepperjack to add some kick!
Add Some Kick- Speaking of adding spice, try mixing in half a cup of buffalo sauce into the mixture if you like a little heat!
Chicken- We used boneless skinless chicken breasts. But using Chicken Thighs may add some moisture to this dish if desired. We also love to make casseroles with Rotisserie Chicken. In fact it's a great idea to buy a couple Rotisserie Chickens from the store, break them down and keep them in the freezer. Another great idea is to use Leftover Turkey for this recipe. A great option for leftovers after the holidays!
Alternative Topping- Try using Panko Bread Crumbs instead of the crackers.
Fun Additions- Try adding peas for some color. Or one small can of Green Chiles or Jalapenos for some heat. Make sure you drain the can before adding.
Serve with Some Bread- These would go great with our Quick and Easy Drop Biscuits!
Craig says
Can i also us minced chicken. In this recipe?
Kathy says
We haven’t tried that. But I don’t see why you couldn’t. Thanks for trying it out and for the comment!
Maureen Hodson says
This chicken casserole recipe was great! So easy to put together. We added peas to our recipe. Perfect! I might throw in a can of chopped green chilies the next time for extra flavor.
It was great the next day for lunch also. We served it with a salad and crescent rolls.
Thanks BubbaPie!
Kathy says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
Carmen Morales says
Cannot wait to try this recipe! This reminds me of my chicken pot pie I make when I have left over turkey, baked or BBQ chicken. I also like to add a bag of frozen mixed veggies for color and nutrition plus I love Veggies💜
Kathy says
I love that idea, I’m going to do that the next time I make it!
Lillian Martinez says
Made this casserole .
I added mushrooms and spinach and black olives, a few dashes of cayenne pepper .
Served it with a side salad and carmalized carrots and bread sticks . It was delish .
Kathy says
I love your additions, mushrooms and spinach are some of my favorites! Thank you for sharing!
Brenda says
We added broccoli, and a little hot sauce. We loved it! I’m going to try it with ham and see how that is.
Kathy says
That sounds delicious! Let me know how the ham turns out!
Kari says
We added peas and sautéed mushrooms this go-round! Was a big hit!
Kathy says
Yay! So glad it worked out for you! Great idea with the peas and mushrooms!
G Clow says
Looks wonderful!
What size casserole dish do you recommend?
Thank you.
Kathy says
Just your standard 9X13 casserole dish!