(The Unfortunately Named) Crack Chicken Casserole

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Juicy, filling, and surprisingly addictive, this recipe for Crack Chicken Casserole is very aptly named. It is definitely not a healthy weeknight meal, but it is absolutely worth it to make a big batch and just indulge once in a while.

Why not make your very own Ranch Dressing for this recipe? Or make something equally simple like this recipe for Homemade Hamburger Helper?

Crack Chicken Casserole

A few years back, it was the trend for everything that was a ranch, bacon, and cheese combination to be called “Crack”. From dips to chicken, pasta to snacks, if it has this combo it has the name crack in front of it.

I’d like to think that we can now progress from calling everything crack, considering we are in the middle of an opioid crisis. This recipe name isn’t something I’ve personally called “crack”, however for those of you that are searching for the “crack chicken”, I will leave it as is so you can find it. Let’s try to come up with better names for food now, shall we?

While the name of this casserole might seem like a simple description of the crispy, crackling crust on top, crack chicken casserole is more about how weirdly addictive it is. Each bite will feel as filling and nourishing as an entire dinner, but you just won’t be able to help yourself from going back for more.              

Crack Chicken Casserole Ingredients

Make sure you look at the recipe card at the very bottom for the exact amounts so that you know exactly what to buy for this recipe.

• Chicken

• Vegetable oil

• Bacon

• Onion powder

• Cheddar cheese

• Eggs

• Sour cream

• Whipping cream

• Ranch dressing

• Salt & pepper

How To Make Crack Chicken Casserole

• Slice the chicken into cubes

• In a medium skillet, add the oil and brown the cubed chicken until it is cooked and has reached an internal temperature of 165 Fahrenheit

• Remove from the heat and set aside

• Place the cooked chicken into the bottom of a casserole dish

• Sprinkle half a cup of chopped bacon on top of the chicken

• Cover with ½ cup of shredded cheese

• In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with a fork and add in the sour cream, cream, onion powder, and ranch dressing, stirring it all lightly with a whisk

• Pour over the chicken and bacon in the pan

• Top with the remainder of the cheese, sprinkling the remaining ¼ cup of bacon on top

• Bake for 30 minutes; after 30 minutes, cover the pan with foil, making sure not to touch the cheese with the foil, and bake for another 15 minutes

• Remove from the oven, rest for minutes, and then top with green onions before serving

What Kind Of Chicken Should You Get To Make Crack Chicken?

Crack chicken is one of those casserole recipes where pretty much any kind of chicken can be used and from pretty much any source.

Home cooks looking for a fast cooking time and little bother should probably consider skinless, boneless chicken breasts, but there are a lot of advantages to straying away from this tried and tested source of protein.

Chicken thighs, while fattier and a bit harder to work with, can actually make for a way more flavorful and tasty casserole. Plus, the longer cooking time allows the chicken to not only release loads of flavorful juices to help flavor all of the rest of the ingredients but also allow the meat to absorb the taste of the liquid around it, making everything gooey and extra delicious.

Sourcing the actual chicken itself is another decision. You could go ahead and buy some chicken specifically for the purpose of making his recipe, but this kind of dish, like all casseroles, is perfect for using up leftover chicken.

Use up some leftovers from a chicken dinner, or even use some leftovers from an entirely different poultry; this would be a great way to use up some Thanksgiving leftovers, for example.

However, if you are looking to just get some ready-cooked chicken to enjoy this recipe, simply head to your local supermarket and pick up one of those rotisserie chickens. Not only will they be ready cooked and usually pretty cheap, but they will also be packed full of flavorful juices and fat, making them perfect for this casserole.

How To Stop Your Crack Chicken Casserole From Drying Out

Casseroles are, ideally, extremely wet and juicy, with every bite of the casserole coming with loads of juice and fat.

Sometimes, however, casseroles can dry out in the oven, resulting in a consistency closer to dust than a juicy bite of crack chicken.

To avoid this with this recipe, you want to make sure that you are keeping a careful eye on the temperature of your oven. You don’t want it getting too hot, as not only with the crust begin to burn, but the liquids will evaporate, and everything will dry out.

If you are noticing that your casserole is getting too dry or the top is starting to brown before the rest of it is properly cooked, then feel free to tend everything with some foil.

The foil will not only help to prevent scorching, but it will also help keep moisture inside the casserole, leading to plenty of juiciness in the finished dish.

Finally, make sure that you give your casserole enough time to rest after cooking it. Though it is tempting to dig into it straight after pulling it from the oven, if you give it 5 or 10 minutes resting on the counter, it will pull all of its juice back into itself, leading to every bite being juicy rather than everything being separated and dry.

Looking for more delicious Casserole recipes? Try these out:

• Classic Chicken Divan

• Crock Pot Lazy Pierogi Casserole

• Broccoli Rice Casserole

Happy Baking

Love,

Karlynn

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