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Delicious Crack Chicken Pasta Bake topped with melted cheese and parsley, served in a baking dish
Paula

Crack Chicken Pasta Bake

This Crack Chicken Pasta Bake is a creamy casserole recipe featuring tender shredded chicken, crispy smoky bacon, tangy ranch seasoning, and two kinds of melted cheese.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 562

Ingredients
  

Pasta & Protein
  • 1 lb Penne pasta or rotini
  • 2 lbs Boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 oz Bacon strips
Creamy Sauce Base
  • 8 oz Cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup Sour cream
  • 1 can 10.5 oz Condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup Whole milk
  • 1 oz packet Ranch seasoning mix
Cheese & Toppings
  • 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
  • ¼ cup Green onions sliced
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Cook the penne pasta in boiling water until just shy of al dente, then drain.
  3. Season and cook the chicken until it reaches 165°F, then shred it.
  4. Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then mix in sour cream, condensed soup, whole milk, and ranch seasoning.
  5. Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble it.
  6. Combine pasta, chicken, ranch sauce, and half of the bacon. Mix until coated.
  7. Transfer to baking dish, top with remaining cheddar and mozzarella, then sprinkle with the rest of the bacon.
  8. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
  9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving, then garnish with green onions.