Easy cheesy chicken bacon ranch casserole recipe everyone will love! This quick and easy chicken casserole is a great family dinner.
This is a great busy weeknight dinner. I use a rotisserie chicken from Costco to save cooking time. We also use a bottle of alfredo sauce on nights that I don't want to take time to make scratch-made alfredo sauce.
Another way we save time is by cooking extra bacon when we cook bacon for breakfast. When I know I am going to bake or cook with bacon later in the week I will cook up extra bacon and store it in the kitchen.
I am all in for anything that helps make it easier to get dinner on the table. Life is always so busy that I am always trying to save time during the week.
On the weekends I will deep dive into more in-depth recipes but weekday dinners need to be quick and easy plus delicious.
This creamy cheesy chicken bacon ranch pasta casserole is easy to make and tastes amazing. Pair it with your favorite veggies for an epic meal.
Ingredients List
This is a quick overview of the simple ingredients that you'll need to make an epic Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole! Specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Chicken - I love to use a Costco rotisserie chicken for this casserole. You can also use any leftover chicken you have available. Instant pot skinless chicken breast, slow cooker shredded chicken work great.
Pasta - We used shell pasta but you could easily use rotini pasta, penne pasta, or macaroni noodles.
Cheese - add in a cup mozzarella cheese for even more flavor.
Seasoning - We find that this chicken bacon ranch casserole is packed with flavor but you can always add in a bit of onion powder and garlic powder for more flavor.
Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste
Tools needed
Cooking spray
Frying pan/ large skillet - to cook the bacon over medium heat (paper towel to drain the bacon grease)
Pasta pot
Slotted Spoon
Large Bowl - If you want to mix everything together before adding it to the casserole dish.
9x13 casserole baking dish - This recipe makes a large amount so you want to make sure you don't use a smaller casserole dish. It may not all fit in a smaller dish.
Heat resistant potholders - A couple of years ago we had a fire scare when we didn't realize we had turned a burner on and a cloth potholder caught fire. Thankfully we walked by the kitchen and saw the smoke and were able to get it out ourselves. Since then we have only used these heat-resistant potholders.
How to make Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.
Step 1 - Cook bacon until crispy, remove and place on a paper towel. Cut rotisserie chicken into bite size pieces.
Step 2 - Cook pasta until al dente, drain and add to the casserole dish.
Step 3 - Place diced chicken into a gallon-size ziploc, add in olive olive oil and ranch seasoning. Toss chicken in mixture until well coated.
Step 4 - Add chicken on top of the pasta, cover in alfredo sauce. Stir together.
Step 5 - Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and bacon. Bake
Make Ahead - This chicken casserole can be assembled ahead of time, cover with aluminum foil, and store in the fridge until you are ready to bake it.
Storage - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Freezing/How to freeze - Assemble and freeze in the casserole dish or a freezer safe container. Thaw in the fridge before baking.
How to reheat - This chicken bacon ranch casserole can be reheated in the microwave or the oven.
Substitutions -Change up the cheese, pasta shape/type (fusilli, penne, rotini, macaroni) work great.
Additions - Garnish with chopped parsley, peas, dill, onion salt, garlic, cream cheese,
Vegetarian Option -You can use plant based chicken and vegetarian bacon to make this recipe vegetarian.
Vegan Option - This recipe is not easy to make vegan.
Gluten Free - Use gluten free pasta, or leave off the pasta and add in veggies.
Smaller Serving Size - this recipe can be made into 2 smaller casserole dishes to make a smaller serving. Freezer the 2nd dish for later.
Make it Spicy - Add in red pepper flakes, or your favorite spices.
Larger Group/More servings - This casserole makes a LOT of food! You can double the recipe but you will need multiple casserole dishes.
Recipe Tips
To save time and energy I use a Costco/Grocery Store rotisserie chicken for this recipe. You can easily cook chicken breast on the stovetop or crock pot if you don't have a rotisserie chicken.
I use either bottled alfredo sauce or my favorite Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce. It just depends on how much time I feel like spending on the recipe.
We use medium shell pasta but you can easily use rotini or another pasta that you have in the house.
Bacon measurements
Thin bacon - use 12 slices
Regular bacon - use 8-10 slices
Thick-cut bacon - 7 slices
To season the chicken toss it in a gallon-size Ziploc bag with the olive oil and dry ranch seasoning mix and toss it together. You can also do this in a bowl, but I find that by doing it in a gallon bag I can toss the chicken easier.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Printable recipe card instructions are below.
Nutrition information, including calories, protein, calcium, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin c, potassium, cholesterol, sodium, trans fat, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and more, will vary depending on the products used.
Side Dishes - Air Fryer Broccoli, Mixed vegetable, green salad, Brussel Sprouts, Cauliflower , Air Fryer Asparagus, watermelon salad
Bread - Garlic Bread, Cheddar Bay Biscuits, 7-up Biscuits, Olive Garden Breadsticks, Garlic Cheese Muffins
Drinks - Sweet Tea, water, soda,
Desserts - Chocolate brownies, peach cobbler with Bisquick, Fruit Salad, Mandarin Orange Jello Salad
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Printable Recipe Card ---> Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole