Description
This Crack Chicken Casserole is a deliciously creamy and cheesy dish featuring tender roasted chicken thighs, a savory blend of cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayo, and ranch seasoning, topped with crispy bacon and buttery Ritz cracker crumbs. Perfect for a comforting family meal, it takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to prepare and serves 8 people.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Filling
- 10 ounce can of cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup mayo
- 1 ounce ranch seasoning packet
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- 10 ounces bacon, cooked and crumbled
Topping
- 1½ sleeves Ritz crackers
- ½ stick of butter, melted
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat your oven to 400°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and prepare for roasting.
- Season the chicken. Rub the chicken thighs all over with olive oil, salt, and pepper to evenly season the meat and help retain moisture during cooking.
- Roast. Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs in an even layer in the baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the largest piece registers 165°F, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and juicy.
- Rest and shred. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Transfer to a cutting board and shred the meat with two forks for the casserole filling.
- Adjust oven and prepare dish. Lower the oven temperature to 375°F and re-grease the baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prepare for assembling the casserole.
- Make the filling. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayo, and ranch seasoning mix until smooth. Fold in shredded cheddar, Parmesan cheese, crumbled bacon, and the shredded chicken to create a creamy, flavorful filling.
- Make the topping. Place the Ritz crackers in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the melted butter and pulse just until combined to form a buttery crumb topping.
- Assemble. Spread the creamy chicken mixture evenly over the bottom of the baking dish. Scatter the Ritz cracker crumb topping evenly over the filling.
- Bake. Bake the casserole uncovered at 375°F for 30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and crisp, and the casserole is warmed through.
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for tender and juicy meat that shreds easily.
- Bacon can be cooked in advance to save time; bake or pan-fry until crispy then crumble.
- If you prefer less salt, reduce the added salt in the seasoning step as bacon and cheese add saltiness.
- For a creamier texture, ensure the soup, sour cream, and mayo are well mixed before combining with the shredded chicken.
- Letting the chicken rest before shredding helps keep it moist and flavorful.
- The Ritz cracker topping adds a delightful crunch and buttery flavor complementing the creamy filling.
