Crock Pot Crack Chicken Casserole (Printable View)

Creamy slow cooker chicken with bacon, ranch, and cheddar over tender pasta.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 ranch seasoning mix 1 oz
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 in a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle ranch seasoning evenly over the chicken and top with cream cheese cubes.
02 - Pour chicken broth around the chicken. Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours, until chicken is tender and easily shredded.
03 - Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred using two forks. Return shredded chicken to the slow cooker. Stir in sour cream, cooked bacon reserving some for topping, and 1.5 cups cheddar cheese until well combined.
04 - While chicken finishes cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta for 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Drain well.
05 - Add cooked pasta and frozen peas if using to the slow cooker. Stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients with sauce mixture.
06 - Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese and reserved bacon on top. Cover and heat for 10 minutes until cheese is fully melted. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The slow cooker does practically all the work while you go about your day
  • That creamy ranch and bacon combination makes everyone clean their plates
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
02 -
  • Do not add the pasta until the very end or it will turn into mush after hours in the slow cooker
  • Sour cream can separate if it boils too hard, so stir it in gently after the chicken is cooked
03 -
  • Cook your bacon ahead of time and keep crumbled pieces in the freezer so this recipe comes together even faster
  • Line your slow cooker with a disposable liner for cleanup that takes literally ten seconds

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