Crazy Good Chicken Bacon Casserole Recipe
Crazy Good Casserole is a comforting, creamy pasta bake featuring tender chicken chunks cooked in savory bacon drippings, combined with creamy chicken soup, melted Monterey Jack cheese, and crispy bacon crumbles. This hearty casserole is baked to golden perfection, making it a perfect family-friendly meal with rich flavor and satisfying texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 4–5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 strips of quality bacon, cooked and crumbled
Dairy
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
Canned Goods
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
Pasta
- 1 box (16 ounces) dried spiral pasta
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook and crumble bacon: Begin by cooking the bacon strips until crisp. Once cooked, crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside for topping later.
- Prepare chicken: While the bacon cooks, cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks. Using the same pan with bacon drippings, cook the chicken pieces over medium heat until fully cooked and browned. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Cook pasta: Meanwhile, prepare the dried spiral pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the cooked pasta well and return it to the pot.
- Combine ingredients: To the pot with the drained pasta, add the cooked chicken, both cans of cream of chicken soup, and 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Prepare baking dish: Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Pour the pasta and chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread out evenly.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle the crumbled bacon evenly over the top of the casserole. Next, add the remaining 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the bacon layer.
- Bake the casserole: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Place the casserole in the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and just beginning to brown on top.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy, and flavorful Crazy Good Casserole!
Notes
- You can use different types of cheese if preferred, such as cheddar or mozzarella.
- To reduce calories, consider using low-fat cream of chicken soup and cheese.
- If you prefer, substitute spiral pasta with any other short pasta shape like penne or rotini.
- Ensure chicken is cooked thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) for safety.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: chicken casserole, creamy chicken pasta bake, bacon casserole, Monterey Jack cheese casserole, easy dinner recipe, baked pasta dish
