Skillet-Baked Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

a white skillet filled with chicken bacon ranch casserole topped with chopped parsley.

5 from 8 ratings

Skillet-Baked Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

This chicken bacon ranch casserole is a simple dinner that is delicious, homemade comfort food. Ready from start to finish in about 45 minutes, you're going to love this flavorful chicken bake. Even better, this one-pot meal makes incredible leftovers.

Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Total Time45

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken and bacon casserole, chicken bacon casserole, chicken bacon ranch bake, chicken bacon ranch pasta

Servings:

Author: Sarah Cook

Equipment

Ingredients

3 cups dry rotini noodles
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts {cubed, cut into ~1-inch pieces}
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
6 strips bacon {chopped}
1/4 cup salted butter
2 tbsp powdered ranch seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/4 cup whole milk
8 oz cream cheese {cubed}
1 1/3 cup shredded parmesan
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350˚F.
In a large saucepan bring 3 quarts of salted water to a boil.
Add rotini and cook until al dente, ~7 minutes. Drain pasta. Set aside. Make the rest while the pasta cooks.
3 cups dry rotini noodles
Salt and pepper the cubed chicken.
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
In a large deep frying oven-safe skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until it is crispy (~5-7 minutes). Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels.
6 strips bacon
Drain all but 2 tbsp of bacon grease from the skillet.
Cook chicken breast in the bacon grease until almost cooked through (~5 minutes). Transfer to a plate. Drain any juices from the pan.
Melt butter in the skillet, stir in garlic powder and ranch seasoning.
1/4 cup salted butter, 2 tbsp powdered ranch seasoning, 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Slowly whisk in warmed milk, and bring to a low boil for 1 minute.
1 1/4 cup whole milk
Add in cubed cream cheese, shredded parmesan, and black pepper. Stir until the cream cheese has melted. Whisk until smooth.
8 oz cream cheese, 1 1/3 cup shredded parmesan, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Add in the pasta and chicken and stir to combine.
Top with shredded mozzarella and chopped bacon.
1 cup shredded mozzarella
Bake, uncovered, at 350˚F for 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Notes

Make sure you warm the milk before adding it to the butter sauce. Cold milk will curdle when it interacts with the hot pan.

Nutrition