Description
Comfort meets convenience in this hearty Chicken Casserole, slow-cooked to perfection with tender meat and rich, creamy flavors. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish delivers home-style warmth you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 3 chicken breasts (diced)
- 12 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
Dairy and Cheese:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Main Ingredients and Seasonings:
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 ranch seasoning packet
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
- 2 green onions
Instructions
- Whisk together cream cheese, condensed soup, sour cream, chicken broth, ranch seasoning, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well-blended.
- Fold in shredded chicken, half of the shredded cheese, and half of the crumbled bacon into the creamy mixture.
- Transfer the combined ingredients to the slow cooker, spreading evenly across the bottom of the ceramic insert.
- Set slow cooker to low temperature and allow to simmer for 5-6 hours, ensuring chicken is tender and flavors meld together.
- During the last 30 minutes of cooking, prepare pasta according to package instructions, draining when al dente.
- Gently incorporate cooked pasta into the slow cooker, stirring to distribute evenly throughout the creamy chicken mixture.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese and bacon over the top of the casserole, allowing residual heat to melt the cheese.
- Garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh, vibrant finish.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow sauce to thicken slightly.
- Serve hot, directly from the slow cooker, ensuring each portion includes a generous mix of chicken, pasta, and toppings.
Notes
- Soften cream cheese beforehand to ensure smooth blending without lumps.
- Use low-sodium broth and soup to control salt levels for health-conscious eaters.
- Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon to reduce fat and make the dish lighter.
- Customize by adding frozen vegetables like peas or broccoli for extra nutrition and color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 56 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 525 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg