Description
Creamy crack chicken casserole delivers a low-carb comfort meal packed with flavor. Cheese, ranch seasoning, and crispy bacon create a satisfying dish that hungry diners will eagerly devour.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) chicken, shredded (cooked)
- 6 slices bacon, crumbled (cooked)
- 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- 1 ½ cups (170 g) cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
- 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
- 1 packet (1 oz/28 g) ranch seasoning mix
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Calibrate oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent adherence.
- Sauce Construction: Blend cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, and chicken broth into a velvety, homogeneous mixture using vigorous whisking techniques.
- Protein Integration: Incorporate shredded chicken into the sauce, ensuring comprehensive coating and flavor distribution across each protein strand.
- Initial Layering: Merge half the cheddar cheese and bacon crumbles into the chicken mixture, creating a harmonious flavor foundation with balanced ingredient dispersion.
- Casserole Assembly: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, crafting an even surface that promises uniform heat penetration and consistent cooking.
- Cheese Topping: Strategically scatter mozzarella and remaining cheddar cheese across the surface, establishing a molten, golden crust that will develop crisp, appetizing edges.
- Baking Process: Position casserole in preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, targeting bubbling edges and a rich golden-brown cheese landscape as doneness indicators.
- Finishing Touches: Immediately garnish with residual bacon fragments and freshly chopped green onions upon removal, introducing vibrant color and textural complexity.
- Serving Preparation: Rest the casserole briefly to allow ingredient melding and flavor intensification before presenting to eager diners.
Notes
- Customize Protein Choice: Select rotisserie chicken for deeper flavor or use turkey as a leaner alternative without compromising taste texture.
- Prevent Watery Consistency: Drain chicken thoroughly and pat dry to eliminate excess moisture, ensuring a thick, creamy casserole without runny sauce.
- Enhance Low-Carb Profile: Replace traditional ranch seasoning with homemade sugar-free version or use low-carb ranch mix to maintain ketogenic guidelines.
- Optimize Cheese Melting: Grate cheese freshly instead of using pre-shredded varieties, which contain anti-caking agents that can impact melting quality and overall smoothness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 564
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1075 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg