Description

This Crack Chicken Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish combining shredded chicken, creamy soup, ranch seasoning, crispy bacon, and cheddar cheese baked to perfection with tender hash brown potatoes. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe perfect for family dinners or potlucks, offering rich flavors and a satisfying blend of textures.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

16 oz shredded hash brown potatoes (frozen)
16 oz sour cream
10.5 oz cream of chicken soup
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)

Protein and Flavorings

2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
1 oz ranch seasoning
1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon, divided (3/4 cup + 1/4 cup)

Cheese

2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (2 cups + 1/2 cup)

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray, then set it aside for assembling the casserole.
Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, melted butter, ranch seasoning, cooked shredded chicken, 3/4 cup of the cooked crumbled bacon, and 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Then, evenly sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of cooked bacon and the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly throughout and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden.

Notes

You can use rotisserie chicken to save time on cooking the chicken.
Ensure the hash browns are thawed slightly or well separated before mixing to avoid clumps.
For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños.
This casserole can be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add 5-10 extra minutes to baking time if baked cold.
To make it gluten-free, verify that the cream of chicken soup and ranch seasoning are gluten-free varieties.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Crack Chicken Casserole, chicken casserole, cheesy chicken casserole, hash brown casserole, comforting dinner, baked chicken dish