This Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for family dinners or meal prep for the week. With a creamy ranch base, juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and loads of cheese, it’s a guaranteed hit. The best part? You can make it two different ways depending on what you have on hand or what you’re craving! Choose between adding broccoli for a hearty and nutritious veggie option or opt for spinach for a lighter, greens-packed version. Both versions are incredibly flavorful, easy to prepare, and make for a satisfying meal that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients:
Base:
- 4 cups boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cooked, cubed or shredded)
- 8 slices bacon (cooked and chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded, divided)
Version 1 (with Broccoli):
- 5 cups broccoli (cut into florets)
Version 2 (with Spinach):
- 1 lb frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed to drain well)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare chicken and bacon: If not done already, cook and cube or shred the chicken breasts. Cook the bacon until crispy, then chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, sauté the minced garlic over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, chopped bacon, sautéed garlic, ranch dressing, and half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses.
- Steam or lightly blanch the broccoli florets for 3-4 minutes until tender but still crisp. Add the broccoli to the chicken mixture.
- Make sure the spinach is fully thawed and well-drained. Add it to the chicken mixture.
- Transfer to baking dish: Spread the mixture evenly in a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm, straight from the oven!
Conclusion:
Whether you go for the broccoli or spinach version, this Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is bound to become a favorite in your recipe rotation. The combination of tender chicken, smoky bacon, gooey cheese, and a rich ranch dressing base creates a mouthwatering dish that is as comforting as it is flavorful. Perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a family gathering, this casserole is not only easy to prepare but also offers flexibility to suit your taste preferences. Serve it with a fresh salad or some crusty bread for a complete meal!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole – Two Ways!
Ingredients
- 4 cups boneless skinless chicken breasts (cooked, cubed or shredded)
- 8 slices bacon cooked and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded, divided
- 5 cups broccoli cut into florets
- 1 lb frozen spinach thawed and squeezed to drain well
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare chicken and bacon: If not done already, cook and cube or shred the chicken breasts. Cook the bacon until crispy, then chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, sauté the minced garlic over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, chopped bacon, sautéed garlic, ranch dressing, and half of the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Steam or lightly blanch the broccoli florets for 3-4 minutes until tender but still crisp. Add the broccoli to the chicken mixture. Make sure the spinach is fully thawed and well-drained. Add it to the chicken mixture.
- Transfer to baking dish: Spread the mixture evenly in a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Top with cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheeses evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm, straight from the oven!