Crock Pot Crack Chicken Casserole (Print Version)

Creamy slow cooker chicken with bacon, ranch, and pasta for ultimate comfort.

# What You Need:

→ 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 1 oz ranch seasoning mix
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:

01 - Arrange chicken breasts in single layer in 6 quart slow cooker
02 - Sprinkle ranch seasoning evenly over chicken then top with cream cheese cubes
03 - Pour chicken broth around chicken cover and cook on LOW 4 hours or HIGH 2 hours until tender
04 - Remove chicken shred with two forks return to slow cooker stir in sour cream 1.5 cups cheddar cheese and all except 2 tablespoons bacon
05 - Boil pasta in salted water 1 to 2 minutes less than package directions drain well
06 - Add cooked pasta and peas if using to slow cooker stir until thoroughly combined
07 - Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese and reserved bacon on top cover cook additional 10 minutes until melted
08 - Top with sliced green onions before serving

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The slow cooker does almost all the heavy lifting while you go about your day
  • That combination of ranch seasoning, bacon, and melted cheese is ridiculously addictive
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
02 -
  • Adding dairy products too early can cause them to separate or become grainy, so wait until the chicken is fully cooked
  • Undercook your pasta by a couple of minutes since it will continue to absorb liquid and soften in the slow cooker
  • Letting the cheese melt undisturbed on top creates that beautiful cheesy layer everyone fights over
03 -
  • Spray your slow cooker insert with cooking spray before starting, that cheese loves to stick
  • If the sauce seems too thick after the pasta absorbs liquid, add a splash more broth
  • Cook your bacon ahead of time and keep it in the fridge so this recipe comes together faster

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